Ultra-sensitive hydrazine chemical sensor based on high-aspect-ratio ZnO nanowires

High-aspect-ratio ZnO nanowires based ultra-sensitive hydrazine amperometric sensor has been fabricated which showed a high and reproducible sensitivity of 12.76 μA cm⁻² nM⁻¹, detection limit, based on S/N ratio, 84.7 nM, response time less than 5 s, linear range from 500 to 1200 nM and correlation coefficient of R = 0.9989. This is the first report in which such a very high-sensitivity and low detection limit has been achieved for the hydrazine sensors by using ZnO nanostructures modified electrodes. Therefore, this work opens a way to utilize simply grown ZnO nanostructures as an efficient electron mediator to fabricate efficient hydrazine sensors.     

Fabrication of a highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence lactate biosensor using ZnO nanoparticles decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes

ZnO nanoparticles (nanoZnO) were decorated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and then the prepared nano-hybrids, nanoZnO-MWCNTs, were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to fabricate nanoZnO-MWCNTs modified GCE. The prepared electrode, GCE/nanoZnO-MWCNTs, showed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL) reaction. The electrode was then further modified with lactate oxidase and Nafion to fabricate a highly sensitive ECL lactate biosensor. Two linear dynamic ranges of 0.01-10 μmol L⁻¹ and 10-200 μmol L⁻¹ were obtained for lactate with the correlation coefficient better than 0.9996. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was 4 nmol L⁻¹ lactate. The relative standard deviation for repetitive measurements (n = 6) of 10 μmol L⁻¹ lactate was 1.5%. The fabrication reproducibility for five biosensors prepared and used in different days was 7.4%. The proposed ECL lactate biosensor was used for determination of lactate in human blood plasma samples with satisfactory results.     

Copper nanoparticles entrapped in SWCNT-PPy nanocomposite on Pt electrode as NOx electrochemical sensor

A highly sensitive NO_x sensor was designed and developed by electrochemical incorporation of copper nanoparticles (CuNP) on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT)-polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposite modified Pt electrode. The modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Further, the electrochemical behavior of the CuNP-SWCNT-PPy-Pt electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. It exhibited the characteristic CuNP reversible redox peaks at −0.15 V and −0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl respectively. The electrocatalytic activity of the CuNP-SWCNT-PPy-Pt electrode towards NO_x is four-fold than the CuNP-PPy-Pt electrode. These results clearly revealed that the SWCNT-PPy nanocomposite facilitated the electron transfer from CuNP to Pt electrode and provided an electrochemical approach for the determination of NO_x. A linear dependence (r² = 0.9946) on the NO_x concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 2000 μM, with a sensitivity of 0.22 ± 0.002 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² and detection limit of 0.7 μM was observed for the CuNP-SWCNT-PPy-Pt electrode. In addition, the sensor exhibited good reproducibility and retained stability over a period of one month.     

Amperometric determination of bonded glucose with an MnO(2) and glucose oxidase bulk-modified screen-printed electrode using flow-injection analysis

A screen-printed amperometric biosensor based on carbon ink double bulk-modified with MnO₂ as a mediator and glucose oxidase as a biocomponent was investigated for its ability to serve as a detector for bonded glucose in different compounds, such as cellobiose, saccharose, (-)-4-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside, as well as in beer samples by flow-injection analysis (FIA). The biosensor could be operated under physiological conditions (0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5) and exhibited good reproducibility and stability. Bonded glucose was released with glucosidase in solution, and the free glucose was detected with the modified screen-printed electrode (SPE). The release of glucose by the aid of glucosidase from cellobiose, saccharose and (-)-4-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside in solution showed that stoichiometric quantities of free glucose could be monitored in all three cases.The linear range of the amperometric response of the biosensor in the FIA-mode flow rate 0.2 mL min⁻¹, injection volume 0.25 mL, operation potential 0.48 V versus Ag/AgCl) extends from 11 to 13,900 μmol L⁻¹ glucose in free form. The limit of detection (3σ) is 1 μmol L⁻¹ glucose. A concentration of 100 μmol L⁻¹ yields a relative standard deviation of approximately 7% with five injections. These values correspond to the same concentrations of bonded glucose supposed that it is liberated quantitatively (incubation for 2 h with glucosidase).Bonded glucose could be determined in beer samples using the same assay. The results corresponded very well with the reference procedure.     

Fabrication and characterization of Meldola's blue/zinc oxide hybrid electrodes for efficient detection of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide at low potential

We report the synthesis and the electrochemical properties of hybrid films made of zinc oxide (ZnO) and Meldola's blue dye (MB) using cyclic voltammetry (CV). MB/ZnO hybrid films were electrochemically deposited onto glassy carbon, gold and indium tin oxide-coated glass (ITO) electrodes at room temperature (25 ± 2 °C) from the bath solution containing 0.1 M Zn(NO₃)₂, 0.1 M KNO₃ and 1 × 10⁻⁴ M MB. The surface morphology and deposition kinetics of MB/ZnO hybrid films were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) techniques, respectively. SEM and AFM images of MB/ZnO hybrid films have revealed that the surfaces are well crystallized, porous and micro structured. MB molecules were immobilized and strongly fixed in a transparent inorganic matrix. MB/ZnO hybrid films modified glassy carbon electrode (MB/ZnO/GC) showed one reversible redox couple centered at formal potential (E⁰′) −0.12 V (pH 6.9). The surface coverage (Γ) of the MB immobilized on ZnO/GC was about 9.86 × 10⁻¹² mol cm⁻² and the electron transfer rate constant (ks) was determined to be 38.9 s⁻¹. The MB/ZnO/GC electrode acted as a sensor and displayed an excellent specific electrocatalytic response to the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The linear response range between 50 and 300 μM NADH concentration at pH 6.9 was observed with a detection limit of 10 μM (S/N = 3). The electrode was stable during the time it was used for the full study (about 1 month) without a notable decrease in current. Indeed, dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), acetaminophen (AP) and uric acid (UA) did not show any interference during the detection of NADH at this modified electrode.     

A reagentless DNA biosensor based on cathodic electrochemiluminescence at a C/CxO1−x electrode

A reagentless signal-on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for DNA hybridization detection was developed based on the quenching effect of ferrocene (Fc) on intrinsic cathodic ECL at thin oxide covered glassy carbon (C/C_xO_1−x) electrodes. To construct the DNA biosensor, molecular beacon (MB) modified with ferrocene (3′-Fc) was attached to a C/C_xO_1−x electrode via the covalent bound between labeled amino (5′-NH₂) and surface functional groups. It was found that the immobilization of the probe on the electrode surface mainly depended on the fraction of surface carbonyl moiety. When a complementary target DNA (cDNA) was present, the stem-loop of MB on the electrode was converted into a linear double-helix configuration due to hybridization, resulting in the moving away of Fc from the electrode surface, and the restoring of the cathodic ECL signal. The restoration of the ECL intensity was linearly changed with the logarithm of cDNA concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, and the detection limit was ca. 5.0 pM (S/N = 3). Additionally, single-base mismatched DNA can be effectively discriminated from the cDNA. The great advantage of the biosensor lies in its simplicity and cost-effective with ECL generated from the electrode itself, and no adscititious luminophore is required.     

A phenol biosensor based on immobilizing tyrosinase to modified core-shell magnetic nanoparticles supported at a carbon paste electrode

A phenol biosensor was developed based on the immobilization of tyrosinase on the surface of modified magnetic MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The tyrosinase was first covalently immobilized to core-shell (MgFe₂O₄-SiO₂) magnetic nanoparticles, which were modified with amino group on its surface. The resulting magnetic bio-nanoparticles were attached to the surface of carbon paste electrode (CPE) with the help of a permanent magnet. The immobilization matrix provided a good microenvironment for the retaining of the bioactivity of tyrosinase. Phenol was determined by the direct reduction of biocatalytically generated quinone species at −150 mV versus SCE. The resulting phenol biosensor could reach 95% of steady-state current within 20 s and exhibited a high sensitivity of 54.2 μA/mM, which resulted from the high tyrosinase loading of the immobilization matrix. The linear range for phenol determination was from 1 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ M with a detection limit of 6.0 × 10⁻⁷ M obtained at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The stability and the application of the biosensor were also evaluated.     

A colloidal suspension of nanostructured poly(N-butyl benzimidazole)-graphene sheets with high oxidase yield for analytical glucose and choline detections

A colloidal suspension of nanostructured poly(N-butyl benzimidazole)-graphene sheets (PBBIns-Gs) was used to modify a gold electrode to form a three-dimensional PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode that was sensitive to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the presence of acetic acid (AcOH). The positively charged nanostructured poly(N-butyl benzimidazole) (PBBIns) separated the graphene sheets (Gs) and kept them suspended in an aqueous solution. Additionally, graphene sheets (Gs) formed “diaphragms” that intercalated Gs, which separated PBBIns to prevent tight packing and enhanced the surface area. The PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode exhibited superior sensitivity toward H₂O₂ relative to the PBBIns-modified Au (PBBIns/Au) electrode. Furthermore, a high yield of glucose oxidase (GOD) on the PBBIns-Gs of 52.3 mg GOD per 1 mg PBBIns-Gs was obtained from the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged PBBIns-Gs and negatively charged GOD. The non-destructive immobilization of GOD on the surface of the PBBIns-Gs (GOD-PBBIns-Gs) retained 91.5% and 39.2% of bioactivity, respectively, relative to free GOD for the colloidal suspension of the GOD-PBBIns-Gs and its modified Au (GOD-PBBIns-Gs/Au) electrode. Based on advantages including a negative working potential, high sensitivity toward H₂O₂, and non-destructive immobilization, the proposed glucose biosensor based on an GOD-PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode exhibited a fast response time (5.6 s), broad detection range (10 μM to 10 mM), high sensitivity (143.5 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and selectivity, and excellent stability. Finally, a choline biosensor was developed by dipping a PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode into a choline oxidase (ChOx) solution for enzyme loading. The choline biosensor had a linear range of 0.1 μM to 0.83 mM, sensitivity of 494.9 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², and detection limit of 0.02 μM. The results of glucose and choline measurement indicate that the PBBIns-Gs/Au electrode provides a useful platform for the development of oxidase-based biosensors.     

Surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on water-soluble ZnO-Au nanocomposites

A wavelength modulation surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on ZnO-Au nanocomposites for the detection of human IgM was developed. Self-assembly technique has the advantages of flexibility, simplicity and the precise control of film component and was applied to the building of the sensor. The ZnO-Au nanocomposites are in a dumbbell-like shape and can be immobilized on the Au film through 1,6-hexanedithiol by covalent attachment. Meanwhile the activated ZnO nanocrystals can be used to connect protein. The biosensor based on ZnO-Au nanocomposites was used to detect human IgM. Some experimental conditions were examined and optimized. In the selected conditions, the modified biosensor exhibits a satisfactory response for human IgM in the concentration range of 0.30-20.00 μg mL⁻¹. However, the biosensor without ZnO-Au nanocomposites shows a response for human IgM in the concentration range of 1.25-20.00 μg mL⁻¹. Compared with the biosensor based on Au film, when the biosensor based on the ZnO-Au nanocomposites was applied, the sensitivity for determination of human IgM is significantly enhanced.     

Amperometric choline biosensors prepared by layer-by-layer deposition of choline oxidase on the Prussian blue-modified platinum electrode

An amperometric choline biosensor was developed by immobilizing choline oxidase (ChOx) in a layer-by-layer (LBL) multilayer film on a platinum (Pt) electrode modified with Prussian blue (PB). 6-O-Ethoxytrimethylammoniochitosan chloride (EACC) was used to prepare the ChOx LBL films. The choline biosensor was used at 0.0 V versus Ag/AgCl to detect choline and exhibited good characteristics such as relative low detection limit (5 × 10⁻⁷ M), short response time (within 10 s), high sensitivity (88.6 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and a good selectivity. The results were explained based on the ultrathin nature of the LBL films and the low operating potential that could be due to the efficient catalytic reduction of H₂O₂ by PB. In addition, the effects of pH, temperature and applied potential on the amperometric response of choline biosensor were evaluated. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was found to be (0.083 ± 0.001) ×10⁻³ M. The biosensor showed excellent long-term storage stability, which originates from a strong adsorption of ChOx in the EACC multilayer film. When the present choline biosensor was applied to the analysis of phosphatidylcholine in serum samples, the measurement values agreed satisfactorily with those by a hospital method.     

Electrochemiluminescence biosensor for the assay of small molecule and protein based on bifunctional aptamer and chemiluminescent functionalized gold nanoparticles

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for simultaneous detection of adenosine and thrombin in one sample based on bifunctional aptamer and N-(aminobutyl)-N-(ethylisoluminol) functionalized gold nanoparticles (ABEI-AuNPs) was developed. A streptavidin coated gold nanoparticles modified electrode was utilized to immobilize biotinylated bifunctional aptamer (ATA), which consisted of adenosine and thrombin aptamer. The ATA performed as recognition element of capture probe. For adenosine detection, ABEI-AuNPs labeled hybridization probe with a partial complementary sequence of ATA reacted with ATA, leading to a strong ECL response of N-(aminobutyl)-N-(ethylisoluminol) enriched on ABEI-AuNPs. After recognition of adenosine, the hybridization probe was displaced by adenosine and ECL signal declined. The decrease of ECL signal was in proportion to the concentration of adenosine over the range of 5.0 × 10⁻¹²–5.0 × 10⁻⁹ M with a detection limit of 2.2 × 10⁻¹² M. For thrombin detection, thrombin was assembled on ATA modified electrode via aptamer–target recognition, another aptamer of thrombin tagged with ABEI-AuNPs was bounded to another reactive site of thrombin, producing ECL signals. The ECL intensity was linearly with the concentration of thrombin from 5 × 10⁻¹⁴ M to 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M with a detection limit of 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁴ M. In the ECL biosensor, adenosine and thrombin can be detected when they coexisted in one sample and a multi-analytes assay was established. The sensitivity of the present biosensor is superior to most available aptasensors for adenosine and thrombin. The biosensor also showed good selectivity towards the targets. Being challenged in real plasma sample, the biosensor was confirmed to be a good prospect for multi-analytes assay of small molecules and proteins in biological samples.     

Glutaraldehyde activated eggshell membrane for immobilization of tyrosinase from Amorphophallus companulatus: application in construction of electrochemical biosensor for dopamine

Tyrosinase from a plant source Amorphophallus companulatus was immobilized on eggshell membrane using glutaraldehyde. Among the three different approaches used for immobilization, activation of eggshell membrane by glutaraldehyde followed by enzyme adsorption on activated support could stabilize the enzyme tyrosinase and was found to be effective. K_m and V_max values for dopamine hydrochloride calculated from Lineweaver-Burk plot were 0.67 mM and 0.08 mM min⁻¹, respectively. Studies on effect of pH showed retention of more than 90% activity over a pH range 5.0-6.5. Membrane bound enzyme exhibited consistent activity in the temperature range 20-45 °C. Shelf life of immobilized tyrosinase system was found to be more than 6 months when stored in phosphate buffer at 4 °C. An electrochemical biosensor for dopamine was developed by mounting the tyrosinase immobilized eggshell membrane on the surface of glassy carbon electrode. Dopamine concentrations were determined by the direct reduction of biocatalytically liberated quinone species at −0.19 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl). Linearity was observed within the range of 50-250 μM with a detection limit of 25 μM.     

Differential pulse voltammetric simultaneous determination of noradrenalin and acetaminophen using a hematoxylin biosensor

A highly efficient noradrenalin (NA) biosensor was fabricated on the basis of hematoxylin electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode, GCE. The cyclic voltammetric responses of the hematoxylin biosensor at various scan rates, which were obtained in a 0.25 mmol L⁻¹ NA solution, showed the characteristic shape typical of an EC_cat process. The kinetic parameters such as electron transfer coefficient, α, the catalytic electron transfer rate constant, k′, and the standard catalytic electron transfer rate constant, k⁰, for oxidation of NA at the hematoxylin biosensor surface were estimated using cyclic and RDE voltammetry. The peaks of differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) for NA and acetaminophen (AC) oxidation at the hematoxylin biosensor surface were clearly separated from each other when they co-exited in the physiological pH (pH 7.0). It was, therefore, possible to simultaneously determine NA and AC in the samples at a hematoxylin biosensor. Linear calibration curves were obtained for 5.0 × 10⁻¹ to 65.40 μmol L⁻¹ and 65.40-274.20 μmol L⁻¹ of NA, and for 12.00-59.10 μmol L⁻¹ and 59.10-261.70 μmol L⁻¹ of AC. The sensitivities of the biosensor to NA in the absence and presence of AC were found virtually the same, which indicates the fact that the electrocatalytic oxidation processes of NA are independent of AC and, therefore, simultaneous or independent measurements of the two analytes (NA and AC) are possible without any interference. The results of 16 successive measurements show an average voltammetric peak current of 1.13 ± 0.03 μA for an electrolyte solution containing 5.00 μmol L⁻¹ NA. The hematoxylin biosensor has been satisfactorily used for the determination of NA and AC in pharmaceutical formulations. The results obtained, using the biosensor, are in very good agreement with those declared in the label of pharmaceutical inhalation products.     

A novel potentiometric biosensor for selective L-cysteine determination using L-cysteine-desulfhydrase producing Trichosporon jirovecii yeast cells coupled with sulfide electrode

Trichosporon jirovecii yeast cells are used for the first time as a source of l-cysteine desulfhydrase enzyme (EC 4.4.1.1) and incorporated in a biosensor for determining l-cysteine. The cells are grown under cadmium stress conditions to increase the expression level of the enzyme. The intact cells are immobilized on the membrane of a solid-state Ag₂S electrode to provide a simple l-cysteine responsive biosensor. Upon immersion of the sensor in l-cysteine containing solutions, l-cysteine undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis into pyruvate, ammonia and sulfide ion. The rate of sulfide ion formation is potentiometrically measured as a function of l-cysteine concentration. Under optimized conditions (phosphate buffer pH 7, temperature 37 ± 1 °C and actual weight of immobilized yeast cells 100 mg), a linear relationship between l-cysteine concentration and the initial rate of sulfide liberation (dE/dt) is obtained. The sensor response covers the concentration range of 0.2-150 mg L⁻¹ (1.7-1250 μmol L⁻¹) l-cysteine. Validation of the assay method according to the quality control/quality assurance standards (precision, accuracy, between-day variability, within-day reproducibility, range of measurements and lower limit of detection) reveals remarkable performance characteristics of the proposed biosensor. The sensor is satisfactorily utilized for determination of l-cysteine in some pharmaceutical formulations. The lower limit of detection is ∼1 μmol L⁻¹ and the accuracy and precision of the method are 97.5% and ±1.1%, respectively. Structurally similar sulfur containing compounds such as glutathione, cystine, methionine, and d-cysteine do no interfere.     

Sensitivity enhancement of SPR biosensor with silver mirror reaction on the Ag/Au film

Based on well-known silver mirror reaction the Ag film was formed on Au film modified by self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 1,6-hexanedithiol (HDT). The sensitivity of the biosensor based on this Ag/Au film is enhanced compared to that based on Au film. When the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on this Ag/Au film was used to determine human IgG, the range of concentrations of human IgG that could be determined is 0.30-40.00 μg mL⁻¹. The lowest concentration (0.30 μg mL⁻¹) that could be detected was about 8 times lower than that obtained by the biosensor without modification by Ag film (2.50 μg mL⁻¹), which demonstrated that the biosensor based on Ag/Au film could make the resonant wavelength move to longer wavelength following with the sensitivity enhancement of the SPR biosensor.     

The unmediated choline sensor based on layered double hydroxides in hydrogen peroxide detection mode

In this work, we have developed a novel choline biosensor on the basis of immobilization of choline oxidase (ChOx) by the attractive materials layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Amperometric detection of choline was evaluated by holding the modified electrode at 0.5 V (vs. SCE). Due to the special properties of LDHs ([Zn₃-Al-Cl]), such as chemical inertness, high porosity, and swelling property, the [Zn₃-Al-Cl]/ChOx modified electrode exhibited an enhanced analytical performance. The biosensor provided a linear response to choline over a concentration range from 3.7 × 10⁻⁶ to 6.3 × 10⁻⁴ M with a low detection limit of 3 × 10⁻⁷ M based on S/N=3. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was calculated to be 1.38 mM. In addition, the interaction between ChOx and LDHs has also been investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy.     

Modification of polypyrrole nanowires array with platinum nanoparticles and glucose oxidase for fabrication of a novel glucose biosensor

A novel glucose biosensor, based on the modification of well-aligned polypyrrole nanowires array (PPyNWA) with Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) and subsequent surface adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOx), is described. The distinct differences in the electrochemical properties of PPyNWA–GOx, PPyNWA–PtNPs, and PPyNWA–PtNPs–GOx electrodes were revealed by cyclic voltammetry. In particular, the results obtained for PPyNWA–PtNPs–GOx biosensor showed evidence of direct electron transfer due mainly to modification with PtNPs. Optimum fabrication of the PPyNWA–PtNPs–GOx biosensor for both potentiometric and amperometric detection of glucose were achieved with 0.2 M pyrrole, applied current density of 0.1 mA cm⁻², polymerization time of 600 s, cyclic deposition of PtNPs from −200 mV to 200 mV, scan rate of 50 mV s⁻¹, and 20 cycles. A sensitivity of 40.5 mV/decade and a linear range of 10 μM to 1000 μM (R² = 0.9936) were achieved for potentiometric detection, while for amperometric detection a sensitivity of 34.7 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹ at an applied potential of 700 mV and a linear range of 0.1–9 mM (R² = 0.9977) were achieved. In terms of achievable detection limit, potentiometric detection achieved 5.6 μM of glucose, while amperometric detection achieved 27.7 μM.     

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on hemoglobin modified zirconia nanoparticles-grafted collagen matrix

A novel method for the immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) and preparation of reagentless biosensor was proposed using a biocompatible non-toxic zirconia enhanced grafted collagen tri-helix scaffold. The formed membrane was characterized with UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and electrochemical methods. The Hb immobilized in the matrix showed excellent direct electrochemistry with an electron transfer rate constant of 6.46 s⁻¹ and electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant for H₂O₂ was 0.026 mM, showing good affinity. Based on the direct electrochemistry, a new biosensor for H₂O₂ ranging from 0.8 to 132 μM was constructed. Owing to the porous structure and high enzyme loading of the matrix the biosensor exhibited low limit of detection of 0.12 μM at 3σ, fast response less than 5 s and high sensitivity of 45.6 mA M⁻¹ cm⁻². The biosensor exhibited acceptable stability and reproducibility. ZrO₂-grafted collagen provided a good matrix for protein immobilization and biosensing preparation. This method was useful for monitoring H₂O₂ in practical samples with the satisfactory results.     

In situ chemo-synthesized multi-wall carbon nanotube-conductive polyaniline nanocomposites: characterization and application for a glucose amperometric biosensor

A new glucose amperometric biosensor, based on electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles onto the surface of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT)-polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites, and then immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOD) with covalent interaction and adsorption effect, was constructed in this paper. Firstly, the MWNT-PANI nanocomposites had been synthesized by in situ polymerization and were characterized through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet and visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra. The assembled process of the modified electrode was probed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Chronoamperometry was used to study the electrochemical performance of the resulting biosensor. The glucose biosensor exhibited a linear calibration curve over the range from 3.0 μM to 8.2 mM, with a detection limit of 1.0 μM and a high sensitivity of 16.1 μA mM⁻¹. The biosensor also showed a short response time (within 5 s). Furthermore, the reproducibility, stability and interferences of the biosensor were also investigated.     

A sensitive mediator-free tyrosinase biosensor based on an inorganic-organic hybrid titania sol-gel matrix

A novel inorganic-organic hybrid titania sol-gel nanocomposite film was prepared to fabricate a sensitive tyrosinase biosensor for the amperometric detection of trace phenolic compounds without additional electron mediators. Acetylacetone worked as a complexing ligand to chelate with Ti atom in the synthesis process, and the pH of the titania solution could be adjusted to the value which was optimum for retaining tyrosinase activity and such a membrane was stably attached on to the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). This titania matrix could supply a good environment for enzyme loading, which resulted in a high sensitivity of 15.78 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² for monitoring phenols with a detection limit of 1×10⁻⁸ M at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The TiO₂ sol-gel derived biosensor exhibited a fast response less than 10 s and a good stability for more than 2 months.