Paste Electrode Based on Short Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid: Preparation,Characterization and Application in DNA Detection

A paste electrode (SWNT&RTIL PE) has been prepared using carboxylic group‐functionalized short single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) mixed with 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆, one kind of room temperature ionic liquid, RTIL). Its electrochemical behavior was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in comparison with the paste electrode using mineral oil as a binder. Results highlighted the advantages of the paste electrode: not only higher conductivity, but also lower potential separation (ΔE_p), higher peak current (i_p) and better reversibility towards dopamine (DA), methylene blue (MB) and K₃[Fe(CN)₆]. The SWNT&RTIL PE could be used to detect the number of guanine bases and adenine bases contents in per mol oligonucleotides according to the current response in the range of 0.05–2.0 nM. Based on the current response of guanine bases, oligonucleotides could be detected sensitively in the B–R buffer solution with a detection limit of 9.9 pM. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) of guanine bases contents in the oligonucleotides was investigated and its value was 0.90 s^?1. In essence the SWNT&RTIL PE showed high sensitivity, reliability, stability and reproducibility for the detection of DNA.     

Voltammetric Determination of Xanthine with a Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube‐Ionic Liquid Paste Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) and room temperature ionic liquid (i.e., 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexaflourophosphate, BMIMPF₆) were used to fabricate paste modified glassy electrode (GCE). It was found that the electrode showed sensitive voltammetric response to xanthine (Xt). The detection limit was 2.0×10^?9 M and the linear range was 5.0×10^?9 to 5.0×10^?6 M. The electrode also displayed good selectivity and repeatability. In the presence of uric acid (UA) and hypoxanthine (Hx) the response of Xt kept almost unchanged. Thus this electrode could find application in the determination of Xt in some real samples. The analytical performance of the BMIMPF₆‐SWNT/GCE was demonstrated for the determination of Xt in human serum and urine samples.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin on Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode and Its Electrocatalysis

In this article we report on the fabrication of a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) by using a room temperature ionic liquid of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆) as binder. It was further modified by single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to get a SWCNTs modified CILE denoted as SWCNTs/CILE. The redox protein of hemoglobin (Hb) was further immobilized on the surface of SWCNTs/CILE with the help of Nafion film. UV‐vis and FT‐IR spectra indicated that the immobilized Hb retained its native conformation in the composite film. The direct electrochemistry of Hb on the SWCNTs/CILE was carefully studied in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Cyclic voltammetric results indicated that a pair of well‐defined and quasireversible voltammetric peaks of Hb heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) was obtained with the formal potential (E°') at ?0.306 V (vs. SCE). The electrochemical parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient (α), the electron transfer number (n) and the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) were calculated as 0.34, 0.989 and 0.538 s^?1, respectively. The fabricated Hb modified electrode showed good electrocatalytic ability to the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in the concentration range from 20.0 to 150.0 mmol/L with the detection limit of 10.0 mmol/L (3σ).     

Electrochemical Behavior and Determination of L‐Tyrosine at Single‐walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Based on single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE/SWCNTs), a novel method was presented for the determination of L ‐tyrosine. The GCE/SWCNTs exhibited remarkable catalytic and enhanced effects on the oxidation of L ‐tyrosine. In 0.10 mol/L citric acid‐sodium citrate buffer solution, the oxidation potential of L ‐tyrosine shifted negatively from +1.23 V at bare GCE to +0.76 V at GCE/SWCNTs. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the linear range of the modified electrode to the concentration of L ‐tyrosine was 5.0×10^?6–2.0×10^?5 mol/L (R₁=0.9952) and 2.7×10^?5–2.6×10^?4 mol/L (R₂=0.9998) with a detection limit of 9.3×10^?8 mol/L. The kinetic parameters such as α (charge transfer coefficient) and D (diffusion coefficient) were evaluated to be 0.66, 9.82×10^?5 cm² s^?1, respectively. And the electrochemical mechanism of L ‐tyrosine was also discussed.     

Fabrication,Characterization, and Application of ‘Sandwich‐Type’ Electrode Based on Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

The much‐enhanced electrochemical responses of potassium ferricyanide and methylene blue (MB) were firstly explored at the glassy carbon electrode modified with single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT/GCE), indicating the distinct electrochemical activity of SWNTs towards electroactive molecules. A hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆), was used as electrode modification material, which presented wide electrochemical windows, proton permeation and selective extraction ability. In consideration with the advantages of SWNTs and RTIL in detecting target molecules (TMs), a novel strategy of ‘sandwich–type’ electrode was established with TMs confined by RTIL between the SWNT/GCE and the RTIL membrane. The strategy was used for electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA), and detection limits of 400 and 80 fmol could be obtained, respectively. The selective detection of DA in the presence of high amount of AA could also be realized. This protocol presented many attractive advantages towards voltammetric detection of TMs, such as low sample demand, low cost, high sensitivity, and good stability.     

Partially Oxidized Graphene/Metallic Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Film‐Coated Electrode for Nanomolar Detection of Dopamine

Enriched metallic single‐walled carbon nanotubes (mSWCNTs) were dispersed in aqueous solution of partially oxidized graphene (po‐Gr). As‐prepared po‐Gr/mSWCNTs suspension was used to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface, which showed high electrocatalytic activity for dopamine (DA) oxidation in pH 7.0 phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. Using po‐Gr/mSWCNTs/GCE we could detect DA from 350 to 3600 nM, with a detection limit down to 25 nM in physiological condition (in pH 7.0 PBS); whereas, po‐Gr/GCE (without mSWCNTs) and bare GCE produced measurable signals only at or above 200 nM DA. Thus, the po‐Gr/mSWCNTs film we fabricated is a promising nanomaterial for fabrication of biosensors for nanomolar detection of DA.     

Adsorptive Stripping Differential Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Risperidone with a Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotube‐Ionic Liquid Paste Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A new composite electrode has been fabricated based on coating multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and n‐octylpyridinum hexafluorophosphate (OPPF₆) ionic liquid composite on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode (OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE). This electrode shows very attractive electrochemical performances for electrooxidation of risperidone (RIS) compared to conventional electrodes using carbon and mineral oil, notably improved sensitivity and stability. The oxidation peak potentials in cyclic voltammogram of RIS on the OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE was occurred around 230 mV vs. SCE at Britton–Robinson (B–R) buffer (pH 4.0) at scan rate of 100 mV s^?1. The electrochemical parameters such as diffusion coefficient (D), charge transfer coefficient (α) and the electron transfer rate constant (k/_s) were determined using cyclic voltammetry. Under the optimized conditions, the peak current was linear to risperidone concentration over the concentration range of 10–200 nM with sensitivity of 0.016 μA/nM^?1 using differential pulse voltammetry. The detection limit was 6.54 nM (S/N = 3). The electrode also displayed good selectivity and repeatability. In the presence of clozapine (CLZ) the response of RIS kept almost unchanged. Thus this electrode could find application in the determination of RIS in some real samples. The analytical performance of the OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE was demonstrated for the determination of RIS in human serum and pharmaceutical samples.     

Voltammetric Determination of Uric Acid with a Glassy Carbon Electrode Coated by Paste of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Ionic Liquid

The voltammetric behavior of uric acid (UA) has been studied at a multiwalled carbon nanotube‐ionic liquid (i.e., 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, BMIMPF₆) paste coated glassy carbon electrode (MWNTs‐BMIMPF₆/GC). It is found that UA can effectively accumulate at this electrode and cause a sensitive anodic peak at about 0.49 V (vs. SCE) in pH 4.0 phosphate buffer solutions. Experimental parameters influencing the response of the electrode, such as solution pH and accumulation time, are optimized for uric acid determination. Under the optimum conditions, the anodic peak current is linear to UA concentration in the range of 1.0×10^?8 M to 1.0×10^?6 M and 2.0×10^?6 M to 2.0×10^?5 M. The detection limit is 5.0×10^?9 M for 180 s accumulation on open circuit. The electrode can be regenerated by successively cycling in a blank solution for about 3 min and exhibits good reproducibility. A 1.0×10^?6 M UA solution is measured for eight times using the same electrode regenerated after every determination, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the peak current is 3.2%. As for different electrodes fabricated by the same way the RSD (i.e., the electrode to electrode deviation) is 4.2%(n=9). This method has been applied to the determination of UA in human urine samples, and the recoveries are 99%–100.6%. In addition, comparison is made between MWNTs‐BMIMPF₆/GC and MWNTs/GC. Results show that the MWNTs‐BMIMPF₆/GC exhibits higher sensitivity, selectivity and ratio of peak current to background current.     

Platinum Nanoparticles Decorated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes – Ionic Liquid Composite Film Coated Glassy Carbon Electrodes for Sensitive Determination of Theophylline

Platinum nanoparticles (Pt_nano) decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)–1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([omim][PF₆]) composite material (MWCNTs‐Pt_nano‐[omim][PF₆]) was fabricated and characterized for the first time. In the presence of [omim][PF₆], more Pt_nano could deposit on MWCNTs. The average diameter of the deposited Pt_nano was about 5 nm. The composite material film coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited sensitive voltammetric response to theophylline (TP). Under the optimized conditions (i.e., preconcentration for 2 minutes on open circuit in 0.10 M pH 3.0 phosphate buffer), the anodic peak current of TP at about 1.1 V (vs. SCE) was linear to TP concentration over the range of 1.0×10^?8–1.0×10^?5 M. The detection limit was estimated to be 8.0×10^?9 M. The modified electrode was successfully applied to the determination of TP in medicine tablet and green tea. In addition, the voltammetric responses of hypoxanthine (HX), xanthine (Xan) and uric acid (UA) on the MWCNTs‐Pt_nano‐[omim][PF₆]/GCE were also discussed.     

Sensitive Voltammetric Response of p‐Nitroaniline on Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotube‐Ionic Liquid Gel Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes

An ionic liquid (i.e., 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, BMIMPF₆)‐single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) gel modified glassy carbon electrode (BMIMPF₆‐SWNT/GCE) is fabricated. At it the voltammetric behavior and determination of p‐nitroaniline (PNA) is explored. PNA can exhibit a sensitive cathodic peak at ?0.70 V (vs. SCE) in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution on the electrode, resulting from the irreversible reduction of PNA. Under the optimized conditions, the peak current is linear to PNA concentration over the range of 1.0×10^?8–7.0×10^?6 M, and the detection limit is 8.0×10^?9 M. The electrode can be regenerated by successive potential scan in a blank solution for about 5 times and exhibits good reproducibility. Meanwhile, the feasibility to determine other nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) with the modified electrode is also tested. It is found that the NACs studied (i.e., p‐nitroaniline, p‐nitrophenol, o‐nitrophenol, m‐nitrophenol, p‐nitrobenzoic acid, and nitrobenzene) can all cause sensitive cathodic peaks under the conditions, but their peak potentials and peak currents are different to some extent. Their peak currents and concentrations show linear relationships in concentration ranges with about 3 orders of magnitude. The detection limits are 8.0×10^?9 M for p‐nitroaniline, 2.0×10^?9 M for p‐nitrophenol, 5.0×10^?9 M for o‐nitrophenol, 5.0×10^?9 M for m‐nitrophenol, 2.0×10^?8 M for p‐nitrobenzoic acid and 8.0×10^?9 M for nitrobenzene respectively. The BMIMPF₆‐SWNT/GCE is applied to the determination of NACs in lake water.     

A Selective and Sensitive Method for Simultaneous Determination of Traces of Paracetamol and p‐Aminophenol in Pharmaceuticals Using Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode

A reliable and simple electrochemical method has been proposed for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PAR) and p‐aminophenol (PAP) in pharmaceutical formulations. The oxidation and reduction peak potentials in cyclic voltammetry (CV) for PAR on carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) were occurred at 370 and 225 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively at pH 7.0, while those for PAP on CILE appeared at 128 mV and 68 mV, respectively at the scan rate of 0.05 V s^?1. In comparison to the conventional carbon paste electrode, the apparent reversibility and kinetics of the electrochemical reactions of PAR and PAP were significantly improved on CILE. In differential pulse voltammetric technique, the peak potentials for PAR and PAP appeared at 345 and 130 mV, respectively, with the peak separation of 215 mV, sufficient for their simultaneous determination in samples containing these two species. The proposed method was used for simultaneous determination of PAR and PAP in tablets. PAR and PAP can be determined in the ranges of 2.0×10^?6–2.2×10^?3 M and 3.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?3 M, with the detection limits of 5.0×10^?7 and 1.0×10^?7 M (calculated by 3σ), respectively. The relative standard deviations for the determination of PAR and PAP were less than 2%.     

A Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor for Fumonisin B1 Detection in Corn Using Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Chitosan

A sensitive electrochemical immunosensor was developed for detecting fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) in corn using the single‐walled carbon nanotubes/chitosan. The detection mechanism of immunosensor was based on an indirect competitive binding to a fixed amount of anti‐FB₁ between free FB₁ and FB₁‐bovine serum albumin, which was conjugated on covalently functionalized nanotubes/chitosan laid on the glass carbon electrode. The anti‐rabbit immunoglobulin G secondary antibody labeled with alkaline phosphatase was then bound to the electrode surface through reactisubstrate α‐naphthyl phosphate, which produced electrochemical signal. Under optimized conditions, this method could detect FB₁ from 0.01 to 1000 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 2 pg mL^?1. This is well below the detection limit required from European Union legislation, 2–4 mg L^?1. Moreover, good recoveries were obtained for the detection of spiked corn samples and actual corn samples. As the method has good sensitivity and recovery for detecting FB₁, it is a practical detection method.     

DFT Studies of Ag‐Loading Intrinsic and Functionalized Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The first principles study was performed on the stability of Ag adsorbed on the internal walls of single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and loaded on acid modified SWCNT. The calculation results show that Ag can be adsorbed stably on the internal walls of SWCNT. With the increase of SWCNT diameter, the adsorption energy increases in a certain range. Ag can also be loaded on the modified SWCNT surface in the form of COOAg and OAg groups, and COOAg group is more stable than OAg group. For either the adsorption on the inner SWCNT or the load on the modified SWCNT surface, only a small proportion of the Ag ions can be stably bonded to the walls of SWCNT.     

Transparent and Conductive Polyethylene Oxide Film by the Introduction of Individualized Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

It is demonstrated that an optically transparent and electrically conductive polyethylene oxide (PEO) film is fabricated by the introduction of individualized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The incorporated SWNTs in the PEO film sustain their intrinsic electronic and optical properties and, in addition, the intrinsic properties of the polymer matrix are retained. The individualized SWNTs with smaller diameter provide high transmittance as well as good electrical conductivity in PEO films.

     

Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin Based on Nafion‐Room Temperature Ionic Liquids‐Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Composite Film

A robust and effective composite film combined the benefits of Nafion, room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) and multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was prepared. Hemoglobin (Hb) was successfully immobilized on glassy carbon electrode surface by entrapping in the composite film. Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of immobilized Hb were investigated in detail. A pair of well‐defined and quasi‐reversible redox peaks of Hb was obtained in 0.10 mol·L^?1 pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), indicating that the Nafion‐RTIL‐MWNTs film showed an obvious promotion for the direct electron transfer between Hb and the underlying electrode. The immobilized Hb exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H₂O₂. The catalysis current was linear to H₂O₂ concentration in the range of 2.0×10^?6 to 2.5×10^?4 mol·L^?1, with a detection limit of 8.0×10^?7 mol·L^?1 (S/N=3). The apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant (K_m^app) was calculated to be 0.34 mmol·L^?1. Moreover, the modified electrode displayed a good stability and reproducibility. Based on the composite film, a third‐generation reagentless biosensor could be constructed for the determination of H₂O₂.     

维生素C在多壁碳纳米管/壳聚糖复合膜修饰玻碳电极上的电化学行为及测定

研究了维生素C在多壁碳纳米管/壳聚糖复合膜修饰玻碳电极上的电化学行为及测定。实验结果表明,在0.2 mol/L PBS(pH6.0)缓冲溶液中,修饰电极对抗坏血酸的氧化具有明显的催化和增敏效应,其氧化峰电位由 0.5 V负移至 0.1 V(vs.AgCl/Ag)。对修饰剂碳纳米管的用量、支持电解质、富集电位和富集时间等进行了优化。采用半微分伏安法进行定量测定,其线性范围为4.0×10-6~2.0×10-3mol/L,r=-0.998 3,检出限为1.0μmol/L。对抗坏血酸在修饰电极上的电化学行为进行了探讨,其电极反应为具有吸附特性和不可逆的电极过程,测得参加反应的质子数为2,电极反应的电子转移系数为0.59。测定了维生素C药片中抗坏血酸的含量,回收率在93%~105%。     

Simultaneous Determination of Hydroquinone and Catechol at a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes

A simply and high selectively electrochemical method for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol has been developed at a glassy carbon electrode modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT). It was found that the oxidation peak separation of hydroquinone and catechol and the oxidation currents of hydroquinone and catechol greatly increase at MWNT modified electrode in 0.20 M acetate buffer solution (pH 4.5). The oxidation peaks of hydroquinone and catechol merge into a large peak of 302 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3 M NaCl) at bare glassy carbon electrode. The two corresponding well‐defined oxidation peaks of hydroquinone in the presence of catechol at MWNT modified electrode occur at 264 mV and 162 mV, respectively. Under the optimized condition, the oxidation peak current of hydroquinone is linear over a range from 1.0×10^?6 M to 1.0×10^?4 M hydroquinone in the presence of 1.0×10^?4 M catechol with the detection limit of 7.5×10^?7 M and the oxidation peak current of catechol is linear over a range from 6.0×10^?7 M to 1.0×10^?4 M catechol in the presence of 1.0×10^?4 M hydroquinone with the detection limit of 2.0×10^?7 M. The proposed method has been applied to simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol in a water sample with simplicity and high selectivity.     

室温离子液体六氟磷酸正丁基吡啶修饰碳糊电极的制备与表征

以室温离子液体(RTIL)六氟磷酸正丁基吡啶(BPPF6)代替传统固体石蜡为粘合剂与石墨粉相混合制备了一种新型的离子液体修饰碳糊电极(RTIL/CPE)。优化出制备电极时石墨与BPPF6的比例为3∶1(w/w),采用扫描电子显微镜对其表面形貌进行了表征,以铁氰化钾为电化学探针对RTIL/CPE的电化学行为进行了研究,并与传统石蜡碳糊电极(CPE)进行了比较。结果表明由于BPPF6具有较高的导电性,使RTIL/CPE比CPE具有更高的导电效率,铁氰化钾在电极上的可逆性变好,ΔEp值为64mV,峰电流响应增加3.5倍,电极过程由吸附控制变为扩散控制,根据计时库仑法求解出铁氰化钾的扩散系数为1.39×10-4cm2/s。     

聚罗丹明B/碳纳米管修饰玻碳电极对亚硝酸盐的灵敏检测

以聚罗丹明B/碳纳米管复合材料修饰玻碳电极(PRh B/CNTs/GCE)为工作电极,通过电催化氧化法应用于亚硝酸盐的灵敏检测。采用循环伏安法(CV)、示差脉冲伏安法(DPV)和安培法考察了NO-2在PRh B/CNTs/GCE上的电化学行为和电催化机理。研究结果表明,与单一PRh B/GCE相比,NO-2的氧化电压明显下降(124 m V),氧化电流提高79%。PRh B/CNTs/GCE对亚硝酸盐的电催化氧化机理是2电子参与的不可逆反应。采用DPV法检测高浓度NO-2,氧化电流与多种NO-2浓度区间呈良好的线性关系,线性范围分别为2~25μmol/L(Ip=94.92 cNO-2+0.05,r2=0.992 3)、35~500μmol/L(Ip=20.32cNO-2+2.65,r2=0.995 8)和500~8 000μmol/L(Ip=10.74cNO-2+8.64,r2=0.997 7)。采用安培法检测低浓度NO-2,其线性范围为0.25~5μmol/L(Ip=0.14cNO-2+0.01,r2=0.993 5),灵敏度为143.50μA·L·mmol-1,方法检出限低至0.08μmol/L。该PRh B/CNTs/GCE具有良好的选择性、抗干扰能力和稳定性,成功应用于实际样品中亚硝酸盐的定量测定,加标回收率为98.3%~102.0%。