Fabrication and Characterization of Carbon Nanotube‐Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite: Application to Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Cadmium

A novel chemically modified electrode for stripping determination of cadmium is presented in this paper, based on carbon nanotube‐hydroxyapatite (CNT‐HAP) nanocomposite, which can be prepared by an easy and effective one‐step sonication. The newly synthesized nanocomposite was characterized with FTIR, TEM, and electrochemical methods. Due to the combination of the strong absorption ability of HAP and excellent electroanalytical properties of CNTs, the GC/CNT‐HAP electrode has been successfully used for determination of Cd²⁺ by anodic stripping voltammetry with a linear range of 20 nM–3 μM. The sensitivity and detection limit are 25.6 μA/μM and 4 nM, respectively. The practical application of the proposed electrode has been carried out for the determination of trace levels of Cd²⁺ in real water samples.     

Electrocatalytic Determination of 6‐Tioguanine at a p‐Aminophenol Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A p‐aminophenol modified carbon paste electrode (p‐APMCPE) was constructed for determination of an anticancer drug 6‐thioguanine (6‐TG). The cyclic voltammogram showed that the electrocatalytic oxidation of 6‐TG at the surface of p‐APMCPE occurs at a potential about 840 mV less positive than at an unmodified electrode. Square‐wave voltammetry results presented that the electrocatalytic oxidation peak currents of 6‐TG in pH 9.0 had two linear dynamic ranges in the range of 0.2 to 8.0 and 8.0 to 350.0 μM 6‐TG with a detection limit of 0.08 μM. The kinetic parameters such as electron transfer coefficient (α) and rate constant were determined for the chemical reaction between 6‐TG and p‐aminophenol. Finally, this method was evaluated for the determination of 6‐TG in 6‐thioguanine tablets and urine samples.     

Carbon‐Based Electrodes for Sensitive Electroanalytical Determination of Aminonaphthalenes

The electroanalytical performance of bare glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) for the determination of 1‐aminonaphthalene (1‐AN) and 2‐aminonaphthalene (2‐AN) was compared with GCE modified by a Nafion permselective membrane or multiwalled carbon nanotubes and with other types of carbon‐based materials, carbon film and boron doped diamond. Nafion‐modified GCE gave the highest sensitivity and lowest detection limit (0.4 µmol L^?1) for differential pulse voltammetric determination of 1‐AN. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy gave information about the processes at the electrode surface. Simultaneous determination of 1‐AN and 2‐AN in a mixture at GCE and their determination in model samples of river water is presented.     

Lignosulfonate‐Modified Electrode for Electrocatalytic Reduction of Acidic Nitrite

Sodium lignosulfonate (LS) undergoes oxidative electropolymerization on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode from sulfuric acid solution to form a chemically modified electrode exhibiting anionic character and redox activity. Cyclic voltammetry reveals the existence of two redox systems at E°′ values of +0.29 and +0.53 V, respectively. Peak currents are proportional to the scan rate as expected for surface confined systems. The GC|poly‐LS electrode shows electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of acidic nitrite. When operating in a constant potential amperometric mode (at 0.0 V, vs. Ag/AgCl), a linear relationship between nitrite concentration and reduction current is observed over the range of 1 to 250 μM. The detection limit reaches 0.3 μM (S/N=3). The electrode may be practically applied for nitrite determination in human saliva.     

Detection of Thiols by o‐Quinone Nanocomposite Modified Electrodes

A chemically modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was developed as an amperometric sensor for detection of biological thiols. The electrode was modified by inclusion of co‐enzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and a co‐catalyst of oxidized single wall carbon nanotubes (Ox‐SWNT) into a gold polypyrrole (Au‐PPy) nanocomposite matrix. The electrode (PQQ/Ox‐SWNT/Au‐PPy/GC) was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Optimal conditions for the PQQ/Ox‐SWNT/Au‐PPy/GC electrode were determined and then utilized for the amperometric detection of L‐cysteine, N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine, L‐penicillamine and D, L‐glutathione. The electrochemical response for each thiol in pH 3.2 citrate phosphate buffer at +450 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) was found to be linear with limit of detections (LOD, S/N=3) ranging from 0.50 µM for L‐penicillamine to 1.55 µM for D, L‐glutathione with sensitivities of 30.2 nA/µM and 3.6 nA/µM respectively. The electrode design is simple and easy to construct using a minimum amount of co‐enzyme and co‐catalyst, resulting in detection methods with very good stability and improved sensitivity for thiol detection.     

Lead Determination by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Using a p‐Phenylenediamine Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

Carbon paste electrodes were modified by mixing appropriate amounts of the monomers o‐phenylendiamine, p‐phenylendiamine and m‐phenylendiamine (o‐PD, p‐PD and m‐PD) into a graphite powder‐paraffin oil matrix. The electropolymerization of the incorporated phenylendiamine was then carried out in a carbon paste electrode in acidic medium by cyclic voltammetry between ?0.30 V and +0.90 or under constant potential. The modified carbon paste electrodes (MCPEs) obtained by this electropolymerization method were found to be useful for trace determination of Pb²⁺ in aqueous solutions. Lead(II) was first preconcentrated on the modified electrodes by complexation with the modifier, and the electrode was then transferred to an electrochemical cell. The best results in terms of sensitivity and detection limit were obtained with poly p‐phenylenediamine (poly (p‐PD)). For a 10‐min preconcentration time, the calibration plot was linear from 5×10^?8 mol L^?1 to 10^?5 mol L^?1, with r²=0.999 and relative standard deviation equal to 5%. However, the lowest lead concentration that could be detected was 10^?9 mol L^?1. Interference from metal ions like Cd(II), Hg(II), Zn(II), Fe(II) and Cu(II) was also studied.     

Electrochemical Studies of Inclusion Complex Formed Between Glutathione and β‐cyclodextrin‐modified Carbon Electrodes and its Application for Determination of Glutathione

In this work, the electrochemical determination of glutathione (GSH) using β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) modified carbon electrodes was carried out. Different methodologies were used to modify the electrodes. In the first part of this paper, we analyze and compare the ability of the electrodes to determine GSH using the different β‐CD‐modified electrodes and cyclic voltammetry. We found that the carbon paste electrode modified by potential sweeping was the best electrode for GSH determination; in addition, we found that an inclusion complex formed between β‐CD deposited on the electrode surface and GSH. The formation constant for this complex was 2498.54 M^?1 at 25 °C. Furthermore, we have also calculated thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the inclusion complex. In the second part of this paper, we analyze the effect of sweep rate and pH on the determination of GSH. The best results were obtained at a rate of 50 mV s^?1 and a pH of 2.2. The β‐CD‐modified carbon paste electrode exhibits a linear response in a concentration range of 20 to 157 µM with a sensitivity of 1083.65 µA mM^?1cm^?2 and a detection limit of 3.92 µM. Finally, the electrode was used to determine the GSH concentration in Eichhornia crassipes root extract, and the concentration determination accuracy was validated by a well‐known spectroscopic method.     

Back‐to‐Back Screen‐Printed Electroanalytical Sensors: Extending the Potential Applications of the Simplistic Design

In our previous paper (Analyst, 2014 , 139, 5339) we introduced the concept of the back‐to‐back electrochemical design where the commonly overlooked back of screen‐printed electrodes are utilised to provide electroanalytical enhancements in screen‐printed electroanalytical sensors. In this configuration the overall sensor comprises of a flexible polyester substrate which has a total of two working, counter and reference electrodes present on the sensor, with a set of electrodes on each side of the substrate. The sensors are designed to allow for a commonly shared electrical connection to the potentiostat and do not require any specialised connections. In this paper we demonstrate proof‐of‐concept extending the electroanalytical utility of the back‐to‐back screen‐printed electrode sensors to bulk modified single‐walled carbon‐nanotubes and electrocatalytic cobalt phthalocyanine microband electrodes. The electroanalytical applications of these novel electrode configuration are exemplified towards the sensing of dopamine, capsaicin and hydrazine. This paper demonstrates the versatility of the back‐to‐back configuration where different surface modifications can be readily employed giving rise to enhancements in sensor performance.     

Carbon Nanotube‐Adsorbed Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes as Coating for Electrochemical Sensors for Sulfhydryl Compounds

A new method to modify electrodes with carbon nanotubes (CNT) was developed. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were adsorbed on the electrospun nylon‐6 nanofibrous membranes (Ny‐6‐NFM) and used as a coating to modify conventional glassy carbon electrodes. The modified electrode was designed for the amperometric detection of sulfhydryl compounds with the potential held at +0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The modified electrode showed a linear response for cysteine up to 0.4 mM (R²=0.997), with a sensitivity of 5.1 µA/mM and a detection limit of 15 µM. Other sulfhydryl compounds showed similar results. After use, the Ny‐6‐NFM was easily peeled off, leaving the bare electrode surface back to its original electrochemical behaviour. This is the first attempt to use a disposable membrane functionalized with MWNT for electroanalytical purposes.     

Selective Detection of p‐Phenylenediamine in Hair Dyes Based on a Special CE Mechanism Using MnO2 Nanowires

We report a novel approach for selective determination of p‐phenylenediamine in hair dyes using β‐MnO₂ nanowires modified glassy carbon (GC) electrodes through an electrochemical co‐deposition process with chitosan hydrogel. A special CE (chemical reaction and electron transfer) process on the surface of β‐MnO₂ nanowires modified GC electrode is proposed and proved by cyclic voltammetry and UV‐Vis spectroscopy in the presence of p‐phenylenediamine. p‐Phenylenediamine can react with MnO₂ nanowires to produce diimine and the equilibrium of the two‐electron and two‐proton redox process of p‐phenylenediamine on the electrode is changed, and consequently the reductive current is enhanced significantly. At a constant potential of 0 V vs. SCE, other main components of hair dyes including o‐, m‐phenylenediamine, catechol, resorcinol, and p‐dihydroxybenzene do not interfere in the determination of p‐phenylenediamine in the amperometric measurement because of their much lower chemical reaction activities with MnO₂ nanowires. It shows a determination range of 0.2–150 μM and a low detection limit of 50 nM to response p‐phenylenediamine. This modified electrode is successfully used to analyze the amount of p‐phenylenediamine in hair dyes without preseparation procedures.     

Electrochemical Detection of Persulfate at the Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode with Nanocomposite Containing Nano‐Ruthenium Oxide/Thionine and Nano‐Ruthenium Oxide/Celestine Blue

The present study describes the fabrication of a sensitive amperometric sensor for the determination of persulfate. The immobilization surface was prepared by modifying a glassy carbon (GC) electrode with a nanocomposite containing ruthenium oxide (RuOx) nanoparticles and thionine (TH) or celestin blue (CB). The modified electrodes indicated excellent electrocatalytic activity toward persulfate reduction at a potential of +0.1 V. The proposed sensor showed detection limits of 1.46 µM for the GC/RuOx/TH modified electrode and 2.64 µM for the GC/RuOx/CB modified electrode. The sensitivities were obtained as 3 nA µM^?1 at a concentration range of 10 µM to 11 mM for the GC/RuOx/TH modified electrode and 1 nA µM^?1 at a concentration range of 10 µM to 6 mM for the GC/RuOx/CB modified electrodes.     

Fabrication of Chitosan‐Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Containing Ferri/Ferrocyanide: Application for Simultaneous Detection of D‐Penicillamine and Tryptophan

We report a simple and effective strategy for fabrication of the nanocomposite containing chitosan (CS) and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) coated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The characterization of the modified electrode (CS‐MWNT/GC) was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior of CS‐MWNT/GC electrode was investigated and compared with the electrochemical behavior of chitosan modified GC (CS/GC), multiwalled carbon nanotube modified GC (MWNT/GC) and unmodified GC using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The chitosan films are electrochemically inactive; similar background charging currents are observed at bare GC. The chitosan films are permeable to anionic Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? (FC) redox couple. Electrochemical parameters, including apparent diffusion coefficient for the Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? redox probe at FC/CS‐MWNT/GC electrode is comparable to values reported for cast chitosan films. This modified electrode also showed electrocatalytic effect for the simultaneous determination of D‐penicillamine (D‐PA) and tryptophan (Trp). The detection limit of 0.9 μM and 4.0 μM for D‐PA and Trp, respectively, makes this nanocomposite very suitable for determination of them with good sensitivity.     

Composite electrodes consisting Pt nano-particles and poly (aminophenols) film on pre-treated aluminum substrate as electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation

Electrochemically platinum plated aluminum (Al/Pt) was used as an electrode substrate for the electropolymerization of aminophenols and fabrication of composite electrodes based on platinum nano-particles. The poly(o-aminophenol) (PoAP), poly(m-aminophenol) (PmAP), and poly(p-aminophenol) (PpAP) were synthesized on the Al/Pt electrode, and further modification was performed by deposition of platinum nano-particles onto polymer matrixes. The electrochemical and morphological characteristic of the composed electrodes were carried out by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on the composite electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M sulfuric acid as supporting electrolyte. It was found that the Al/Pt/PoAP electrode incorporated Pt nano-particles (Al/Pt/PoAP/Pt) exhibits a higher electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of methanol than the Al/Pt/PmAP/Pt and Al/Pt/PpAP/Pt electrodes. On the other hand, a higher catalytic current for methanol oxidation was found on the Al/Pt/PoAP/Pt electrode in comparison to bulk Pt and Al–Pt (Al with 0.2 mg cm⁻² of Pt particles) electrodes. The effects of various parameters such as thickness of the polymer film, concentration of the monomer, Pt loading method and the Pt amounts, concentration of the methanol, and the medium temperature were studied on the electrooxidation of methanol. The long-term stability of the modified electrode has also been investigated.     

ABTS‐Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite/Bi Film Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Cd and Pb by Differential Pulse Stripping Voltammetry

A 2,2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS)‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite/Bi film modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was constructed for the differential pulse stripping voltammetric determination of trace Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺. This electrode was more sensitive than ABTS‐free Bi/GC and Bi/MWCNTs/GC electrodes. Linear responses were obtained in the range from 0.5 to 35 μg L^?1 for Cd²⁺ and 0.2 to 50 μg L^?1 Pb(II), with detection limits of 0.2 μg L^?1 for Cd²⁺ and 0.1 μg L^?1 for Pb²⁺, respectively. This sensor was applied to the simultaneous detection of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in water samples with satisfactory recovery.     

Electrografting of 4‐tert‐Butylcatechol on GC Electrode. Selective Electrochemical Determination of Homocysteine

A new sensor based on the grafting of 4‐tert‐butylcatechol on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GC) was developed for the catalytic oxidation of homocysteine ( Hcy ). The GC‐modified electrode exhibited a reversible redox response at neutral pH. Under the optimum conditions cyclic voltammetric results indicated the excellent electrocatalytic activity of modified electrode toward the oxidation of Hcy at reduced over‐potential about 350 mV. A linear dynamic range of 0.01–3.0 mM and a detection limit of 1.0 µM were obtained for Hcy . The modified electrode was used as an electrochemical sensor for selective determination of Hcy in human blood.     

Ultrasensitive and Selective Detection of Cd(II) Using ZnSe‐Xanthan Gum Complex/CNT Modified Electrodes

This work describes for the first time the employment of water soluble GSH‐ZnSe QDs stabilized by XG and MWCNT for electrode modification in the detection of Cd ions in a highly sensitive and selective manner resulting from the unique structure and surface chemistry of the used QDs. The surface of a glassy carbon (GC) electrode was modified through casting a thin layer of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) followed by a complex layer of ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) stabilized by xanthan gum (XG). Due to the electrocatalytic properties of MWCNT and electroanalytical performance of ZnSe‐XG complex, the new modified electrode significantly improves the sensitivity and selectivity of Cd(II) detection and exhibits enhanced performance in comparison to bare GC, ZnSe/GC and ZnSe/MWCNT/GC electrodes. Strong interactions between ZnSe QDs and XG resulting from hydrogen bonding and complexing association led to stabilization of ZnSe QDs and higher affinity towards Cd(II) ions adsorption compared to a ZnSe QDs film alone. The modified electrode showed linear response in a wide concentration range from 100 nM to 5 μM (R²=0.9967) along with a high sensitivity of 156.6 nA ⋅ mol⁻¹ ⋅ L⁻¹ and a low detection limit of 20 nM. The electrode shows high selectivity to Cd with negligible interference from other metal ions and salts.     

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity of Ni‐CNT Nanocomposites for Simultaneous Determination of Epinephrine and Dopamine

A promising electrochemical sensor based nickel‐carbon nanotube (Ni‐CNT) modified on glassy carbon (GC) electrode had been developed and the properties of the modified electrode were characterized by multispectroscopic analysis. The fabricated sensor (GC/Ni‐CNT) electrode was utilized to determine the catecholamines such as epinephrine and dopamine simultaneously. Differential pulse voltammetry and amperometry were used to verify the electrochemical behavior of the studied compounds. The GC/Ni‐CNT based amperometric sensor showed a wide linear range and low detection limit with high analytical sensitivity of 8.31 and 6.61 μA μM^?1 for EP and DA, respectively which demonstrates better characteristics compared to other electrodes reported in the literature. Further, no significant change in amperometric current response was observed in presence of biological interference species such as glucose, cysteine, citric acid, uric acid and ascorbic acid in the detection of EP and DA. The utility of this GC/Ni‐CNT electrode was well established for the determination of EP and DA in human urine samples.     

Electrochemically Prepared Three‐dimensional Porous Nitrogen‐doped Graphene Modified Electrode for Non‐enzymatic Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

A facile and green electrochemical method for the fabrication of three‐dimensional porous nitrogen‐doped graphene (3DNG) modified electrode was reported. This method embraces two consecutive steps: First, 3D graphene/polypyrrole (ERGO/PPy) composite was prepared by electrochemical co‐deposition of graphene and polypyrrole on a gold foil. Subsequently, the ERGO/PPy composite modified gold electrode was annealed at high temperature. Thus 3DNG modified electrode was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the electrode. The electrode exhibits excellent electroanalytical performance for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). By linear sweep voltammetric measurement, the cathodic peak current was linearly proportional to H₂O₂ concentration in the range from 0.6 μM to 2.1 mM with a sensitivity of 1.0 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻². The detection limit was ascertained to be 0.3 μM. The anti‐interference ability, reproducibility and stability of the electrode were carried out and the electrode was applied to the detection of H₂O₂ in serum sample with recoveries from 98.4 % to 103.2 %.     

Electrochemical Preparation of Brilliant‐Blue‐Modified Poly(diallyldimethylammonium Chloride) and Nafion‐Coated Glassy Carbon Electrodes and Their Electrocatalytic Behavior Towards Oxygen and L‐Cysteine

Brilliant blue FCF‐modified glassy carbon electrodes have been prepared by cycling the Nafion (or poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDAC)) coated electrodes repeatedly 15 cycles in brilliant blue FCF (BB FCF) dye solution. The BB FCF molecules are incorporated into Nafion coating by cycling the film‐covered electrode between +0.3 to 1.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in pH 1.5 BB FCF solution while PDDAC‐coated electrode cycled between 0 to ?1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in pH 6.5 BB FCF solution to immobilize the dye. Electrostatic interaction between dye molecule and PDDAC was predominant in PDDAC coating whereas immobilization of dye in Nafion film attributed to the combined effect of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The voltammetric features of BB FCF‐modified electrodes resemble that of surface‐confined redox couples. The peak potentials of BB FCF‐incorporated PDDAC‐coated electrode were shifted to more positive potential region with decreasing pH of contacting solution. BB FCF‐modified electrodes showed electrocatalytic activity towards reduction of oxygen and oxidation of L ‐cysteine with significant decease of overvoltage compared to unmodified electrode. The BB FCF‐modified Nafion‐coated electrode was tested for its analytical applications toward determination of L ‐cysteine. The linear range of calibration plot at BB FCF‐modified Nafion‐coated electrode is 10 to 100 μM, which coincides with L ‐cysteine levels in biological fluids. Sensitivity and detection limit of the electrode are 111 nA μM^?1 and 0.5 μM, respectively.     

β‐Cyclodextrin‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles/Poly(L‐cysteine) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Metronidazole

A simple electrochemical method was developed to determine metronidazole based on β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized gold nanoparticles/poly(L ‐cysteine) modified glassy carbon electrode (β‐CD‐GNPs/poly(L ‐cys)/GCE). The electropolymerized film of poly(L ‐cys) provides a stable matrix for the fabrication of a sensing interface. β‐CD‐GNPs can form inclusion complexes with metronidazole and act as a modifier with catalytic function. The modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards metronidazole. The reaction of metronidazole at the modified electrode was an irreversible process controlled by diffusion. Under optimum experimental conditions, the logarithm of catalytic currents shows a good linear relationship with that of the metronidazole concentration in the range of 0.1–600 µmol/L with a low detection limit of 14 nmol/L. In addition, the modified electrode exhibited satisfactory stability, sensitivity and reproducibility, and could be applied to the determination of metronidazole in an injection solution.