Electrochemistry of and Redox‐Induced Metal Release from Metallothioneins at a Nafion‐Coated Bismuth Film Electrode

Nafion‐coated bismuth film electrodes (NCBiFEs) were used to investigate the redox behavior of and metal release from rabbit liver metallothioneins (MTs) in an acetate buffer. Owing to the permselective exchange between positively charged MT molecules and cations in Nafion and the absence of detectable MT adsorption at bismuth surface, a diffusion‐controlled Nernstian redox wave of MTs (E_pc=?0.869 V) was observed for the first time. The Nernstian behavior of the diffusing MTs is in contrast to the voltammetric responses of MTs at thin mercury films or Nafion‐coated mercury film electrodes, which either result in the replacement of the metals originally present in MTs by mercury or lead to a noticeable MT adsorption. By avoiding these undesirable features, the NCBiFE provides an excellent milieu for voltammetric studies of different types of MTs and related isoforms, paving the way for studying the redox‐modulated metal transfer of MTs and understanding the biological role of MTs in heavy metal detoxification and essential metal regulations.     

Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of a Nafion/Nano‐CaCO3/Hb Film Modified Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode Using BMIMPF6 as Binder

In this paper a room temperature ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆) was used as binder for the construction of carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) and a new electrochemical biosensor was developed for determination of H₂O₂ by immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) in the composite film of Nafion/nano‐CaCO₃ on the surface of CILE. The Hb modified electrode showed a pair of well‐defined, quasi‐reversible redox peaks with E_pa and E_pc as ?0.265 V and ?0.470 V (vs. SCE). The formal potential (E°′) was got by the midpoint of E_pa and E_pc as ?0.368 V, which was the characteristic of Hb Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couples. The peak to peak separation was 205 mV in pH 7.0 Britton–Robinson (B–R) buffer solution at the scan rate of 100 mV/s. The direct electrochemistry of Hb in the film was carefully investigated and the electrochemical parameters of Hb on the modified electrode were calculated as α=0.487 and k_s=0.128 s^?1. The Nafion/nano‐CaCO₃/Hb film electrode showed good electrocatalysis to the reduction of H₂O₂ in the linear range from 8.0 to 240.0 μmol/L and the detection limit as 5.0 μmol/L (3σ). The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K_M^app) was estimated to be 65.7 μmol/L. UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and FT‐IR spectroscopy showed that Hb in the Nafion/nano‐CaCO₃ composite film could retain its native structure.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Myoglobin in a Nafion‐Ionic Liquid Composite Film Modified Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode

In this paper two kinds of ionic liquids (ILs) were used for the construction of a myoglobin (Mb) electrochemical biosensor. Firstly a hydrophilic ionic liquid of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF₄) was used as binder to prepare a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE), then a Nafion and hydrophobic ionic liquid of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆) composite film was applied on the surface of the CILE. The direct electrochemistry of Mb in the Nafion‐BMIMPF₆/CILE was achieved with the cathodic and anodic peak potentials located at ?0.345 V and ?0.213 V (vs. SCE). The formal potential (E°′) was located at ?0.279 V, which was the characteristic of Mb Fe^III/Fe^II redox couples. The electrochemical behaviors of Mb in the Nafion‐ionic liquid composite film modified CILE were carefully investigated. The Mb modified electrode showed good electrocatalytic behaviors to the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and NaNO₂. Based on the Nafion‐BMIMPF₆/Mb/CILE, a new third generation reagentless biosensor was constructed.     

Constant Current Stripping Chronopotentiometry for the Study of Adsorbing Inert and Electrochemically Nonreversible Metal Complexes at Low Concentrations: Application to Cd and Zn Metallothioneins

Constant current chronopotentiometric stripping analysis using adsorptive accumulation and negative stripping current (AdSCP) was applied for the study of behavior of rabbit liver Cd‐Zn and Zn metallothionein (Cd‐Zn‐MT, ZnMT) on hanging mercury drop electrode. Electrochemically inert or labile behavior of complexes can be distinguished with the application of high (1000 nA) or low (100 to 20 nA) current. Using high current, no influence of added Cd²⁺ or Zn²⁺ ions on the reduction of Cd(II) or Zn(II) complexed within MT molecule was observed, except of additions of Cd²⁺ to ZnMT, where bound Zn(II) was substituted by cadmium ions. With lowering of stripping current and increasing concentration of added Cd²⁺ or Zn²⁺ ions in solution progressive formation of reorganized complex with labile behavior is observed. Parallel measurement using DC voltammetry with different rates of polarization or differential pulse voltammetry were in agreement with AdSCP measurement. However, only chronopotentiometric method combines good sensitivity and signal separation at μM concentrations, inevitable in MT studies.     

Electrochemical behavior of horseradish peroxidase on WS2 nanosheet‐modified electrode and electrocatalytic investigation

In this paper, a WS₂ nanosheet was modified on the surface of a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was further fixed on the electrode with a Nafion film. Direct electrochemistry and bioelectrocatalysis of HRP incorporated on the modified electrode were investigated in detail. On Nafion/HRP/WS₂/CILE, a pair of well‐defined quasi‐reversible redox peaks appeared on the cyclic voltammogram, indicating that the presence of the WS₂ nanosheet on the electrode surface could provide a specific interface with large surface area for HRP and its direct electron transfer rate was greatly enhanced. The formal potential (E⁰) obtained was –0.179 V, which was the typical feature of heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) in HRP. The electron transfer coefficient (α) and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) of HRP were calculated as 0.44 and 1.01 s^–1, respectively. This HRP‐modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of trichloroacetic acid and NaNO₂ with a wide linear range and low detection limit. Real samples were detected by this proposed method, indicating the successful fabrication of a new third‐generation electrochemical enzyme sensor utilizing the WS₂ nanosheet.     

Ionic Liquid‐Hemoglobin‐Carbon Paste Composite Bioelectrode and Its Electrocatalytic Activity

A new carbon ionic liquid paste bioelectrode was fabricated by mixing hemoglobin (Hb) with graphite powder, ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF₄) and liquid paraffin homogeneously. Nafion film was cast on the electrode surface to improve the stability of bioelectrode. Direct electrochemistry of Hb in the bioelectrode was carefully investigated. Cyclic voltammetric results indicated that a pair of well‐defined and quasi‐reversible electrochemical responses appeared in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), indicating that direct electron transfer of Hb was realized in the modified electrode. The formal potential (E^0′) was calculated as ?0.316 V (vs. SCE), which was the typical characteristic of the electrochemical reaction of heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. Based on the cyclic voltammetric results the electrochemical parameters of the electrode reaction were calculated. This bioelectrode showed high electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) with good stability and reproducibility.     

Strain‐Engineered Modulation on the Electronic Properties of Phosphorous‐Doped ZnO

The modulation of strain on the electronic properties of ZnO:P is investigated by density functional theory calculations. The variation of formation energy (E^f) and band structure with strains ranging from ?0.1 to 0.1 are considered. Although both the conduction band minimum (CBM) and the valence band maximum of ZnO are antibonding states, the CBM is more sensitive to strain, reducing the band gap with an increase in strain. P‐substituted O (P_O) defects show poor p‐type conductivity due to a smaller E^f and lower lying acceptor levels as a consequence of lattice expansion. The E^f of P‐substituted Zn (P_Zn) defects decreases under tension, owing to the release of strong repulsive stress induced by excess electrons from P_Zn. The donor energy band of P_Zn broadens under tensile strain, which benefits n‐type conductivity. For Zn vacancies (V_Zn) and P_Zn–2V_Zn complexes, the distances between the O atoms around V_Zn are so large that repulsive and attractive interactions become weak, which results in an easy release of the strain. We herein present for the first time that the E^f values of V_Zn and P_Zn–2V_Zn complexes decrease under both tension and compression, or in the high‐pressure rock‐salt phase. Under a strain of 0.1 the P_Zn–2V_Zn complex shows the smallest E^f. Under ?0.07 strain the wurtzite/rock‐salt phase transition occurs and the direct band gap becomes an indirect one. The variation of band structures in the rock‐salt phase is similar to that in the wurtzite phase. Consequently, the p‐type conductivity of ZnO:P can be improved with an increase in solubility of P_Zn–2V_Zn or V_Zn defects.     

Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine and Ascorbic Acid Using the Nano‐Gold Self‐Assembled Glassy Carbon Electrode

Electrochemical behavior of dopamine (DA) was investigated at the gold nanoparticles self‐assembled glassy carbon electrode (GNP/LC/GCE), which was fabricated by self‐assembling gold nanoparticles on the surface of L ‐cysteine (LC) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via successive cyclic voltammetry (CV). A pair of well‐defined redox peaks of DA on the GNP/LC/GCE was obtained at E_pa=0.197 V and E_pc=0.146 V, respectively. And the peak separation between DA and AA is about 0.2 V, which is enough for simultaneous determination of DA and AA. The peak currents of DA and AA were proportional with their concentrations in the range of 6.0×10^?8–8.5×10^?5 mol L^?1 and 1.0×10^?6–2.5×10^?3 mol L^?1, with the detection limit of 2.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 and 3.0×10^?7 mol L^?1 (S/N=3), respectively. The modified electrode exhibits an excellent reproducibility, sensibility and stability for simultaneous determination of DA and AA in human serum with satisfactory result.     

Bismuth Film Voltammetric Sensor on Pyrolyzed Photoresist/Alumina Support for Determination of Heavy Metals

Voltammetric sensors based on bismuth film electrodes are an attractive alternative to other sensors for application in electroanalysis of heavy metals. Bismuth film electrodes can be formed by a similar method on the same substrates as mercury. These systems were used most frequently for simultaneous determination of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and Zn by anodic stripping voltammetry. Our voltammetric sensor was fabricated on an alumina substrate. A photoresist film prepared by pyrolysis of positive photoresist S‐1813 SP15 on the alumina substrate was used as an electrode support for bismuth film deposition. The influence of the Nafion membrane on the measurement sensitivity of the sensor and mechanical stability of the bismuth film were investigated. The sensor was successfully applied for determination of Pb, Cd and Zn in an aqueous solution in the concentration range of 0.2 to 10 µg L^?1 by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry on an in‐situ formed bismuth film electrode with Nafion‐coating. Parameters of the sensor such as sensitivity, linearity, detection limit, repeatability and life‐time were evaluated. In the best case, the detection limits were estimated as 0.07, 0.11 and 0.63 µg L^?1 for Pb, Cd and Zn, respectively. Finally, the applicability of the sensor was tested in analysis of Pb, Cd and Zn in real samples of tap and river water using the method of standard additions.     

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.     

Sensitive Voltammetric Detection of Trace Heavy Metals in Real Water Using Multi‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes/Nafion Composite Film Electrode

Multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Nafion composite film (MWCNTs/Nafion) were used for fabricating electrochemical sensors for the voltammetric detection of trace lead(II) and cadmium(II) in several water samples. The morphology and structure of MWCNTs/Nafion film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectrum (IR). The electron transfer of MWCNTs/Nafion composite film was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS). Various experimental parameters, which influenced the response of MWCNTs/Nafion/GC to target metals, were optimized. The results showed that the synergistic effect was obtained on the MWCNTs/Nafion/GC whose sensitivity and stability were better than those of Nafion‐coated electrode (Nafion/GC) or CNTs/GC. Stability of the Pb(II) and Cd(II) stripping signals was excellent with relative standard deviations (RSD) within 5% (n=10) from one electrode preparation to another, and RSD of 30 µg·L^?1 Pb(II) and Cd(II) were 2.8% and 3.2% for 20 repeated analysis on one single CNTs/Nafion/GC. Over 50 runs, the stability of Pb and Cd detection at the MWCNTs/Nafion conposites electrode was still satisfactory with RSD lower than 6.0%. The determination limits (S/N=3) of the proposed method were determined to be 100 ng·L^?1 for Pb and 150 ng·L^?1 for Cd. Finally, the MWCNTs/Nafion/GC was successfully applied to determine Pb(II) and Cd(II) in different water samples with recoveries of 97%–103% for Pb and 96%–104% for Cd.     

Sensitive and Selective Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide with Iron‐Tetrasulfophthalocyanine‐Graphene‐Nafion Modified Screen‐Printed Electrode

We developed a novel iron‐tetrasulfophthalocyanine‐graphene‐Nafion (FeTSPc‐GR‐Nafion) modified screen‐printed electrode to determine hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with high sensitivity and selectivity. The nanocomposite film (FeTSPc‐GR‐Nafion) exhibits an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards oxidation of H₂O₂ at a potential of +0.35 V in the absence of enzyme. A comparative study reveals that the FeTSPc‐GR complexes play a dual amplification role. Amperometric experiment indicates that the sensors possess good sensitivity and selectivity, with a linear range from 2.0×10^?7 M to 5.0×10^?3 M and a detection limit of 8.0×10^?8 M. This sensor has been successfully used to develop the glucose biosensor and has also been applied to determine H₂O₂ in sterile water.     

Stripping Voltammetry of Mercury(II) with a Chemically Modified Carbon Paste Electrode Containing Silica Gel Functionalized with 2,5‐Dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole

The accumulation voltammetry of mercury(II) was investigated at a carbon paste electrode chemically modified with silica gel functionalized with 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole (DTTPSG‐CPE). The repetitive cyclic voltammogram of mercury(II) solution in the potential range ?0.2 to +0.8 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), (0.02 mol L^?1 KNO₃ ; v=20 mV s^?1) show two peaks one at about 0.0 V and other at 0.31 V. However, the cathodic wave peak, around 0.0 V, is irregular and changes its form in each cycle. This peak at about 0.0 V is the reduction current for mercury(II) accumulated in the DTTPSG‐CPE. The anodic wave peak at 0.31 V is well‐defined and does not change during the cycles. The resultant material was characterized by cyclic and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry performed with the electrode in differents supporting electrolytes. The mercury response was evaluated with respect to pH, electrode composition, preconcentration time, mercury concentration, “cleaning” solution, possible interferences and other variables. The precision for six determinations (n=6) of 0.05 and 0.20 mg L^?1 Hg(II) was 2.8 and 2.2% (relative standard deviation), respectively. The method was satisfactory and used to determine the concentration of mercury(II) in natural waters contaminated by this metal.     

Application of Novel Zn‐Ferrite Modified Glassy Carbon Paste Electrode as a Sensor for Determination of Cd(II) in Waste Water

This paper describes the preparation of a new sensor based on Zn‐ferrite modified glassy carbon paste electrode and its electrochemical application for the determination of trace Cd(II) ions in waste waters using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Different Zn/Ni ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The prepared ferrite nanoparticles were used for the preparation of Zn‐ferrite‐modified glassy carbon paste electrode (ZnMGCPE) for determination of Cd(II) at nanomolar levels in waste water at pH 5. The different parameters such as conditions of preparation, Zn²⁺/Ni²⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio and electrochemical parameters, percentage of modifier, accumulation time, pH and accumulation potential were investigated. Besides, interference measurements were also evaluated under optimized parameters. The best voltammetric response was observed for ZnFe₂O₄ modifier, when the percentage of modifier was 3 %, accumulation time 9 min, pH of supporting electrolyte 5 and accumulation potential ?1.05 V. Thus prepared electrode displays excellent response to Cd(II) with a detection limit of 0.38 ppb, and selective detection toward Cd(II) was achieved.     

Electrochemical Reduction of S(IV) Compounds in Water‐Ethanol Solutions at Nafion/Tetraruthenated Porphyrins Glassy Carbon Modified Electrodes

This work describes electrocatalytic detection of S(IV) compounds in water‐ethanol solutions under acidic conditions, on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Co(II) tetraruthenated porphyrin electrostatically assembled onto a Nafion film. The I_pc current shows a linear relationship with the concentration of S(IV) oxo‐anions. Controlled potential electrolysis shows that thiosulfate was detected as reaction product. Rotating disk electrode and UV‐visible spectroelectrochemistry experiments showed a kinetic limitation to the electron transfer controlled by charge propagation in the film and the formation of an intermediary between Co center and S(IV) species. The reproducibility of the modification methodology presents a RSD of 4.1%.     

Evidence of Native Metal–S2−–Metallothionein Complexes Confirmed by the Analysis of Cup1 Divalent‐Metal‐Ion Binding Properties

It has previously been shown that recombinant synthesis, under metal‐supplemented conditions, of diverse metallothioneins (MTs) results in the recovery of a subpopulation of S^2?‐containing complexes in addition to the S^2?‐devoid canonical metal–MT species. Further significance of this finding has remained veiled by the possibility of it being a mere consequence of synthesis in a heterologous bacterial system. Herein, we present definitive evidence that S^2? ligands are also constituents of native metal–MT complexes. Because, although practically universal, the highest S^2? content is incorporated by copper‐thioneins when coordinating divalent metal ions, we adapted the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cup1 protein, which is the most paradigmatic copper‐thionein, as an experimental model. Most significantly, native Cd–Cup1 complexes were purified and fully spectroscopically and spectrometrically characterized from the 301N mutant yeast strain, which allows Cup1 synthesis even in the absence of copper. These results undoubtedly revealed the presence of a Cd–S^2?–Cup1 species in native preparations, which were only recovered when carefully avoiding the use of ion‐exchange chromatography in the purification protocol. Furthermore, complete analysis of recombinant (Escherichia coli) Zn–Cup1, Cd–Cup1, and Cu–Cup1 and those complexes that result from Zn/Cd and Zn/Cu replacements in vitro and acidification/renaturalization processes yielded a comprehensive and comparative overview of the metal‐binding abilities of Cup1. Overall, we consider the main conclusions of this study to go beyond the mere study of the particular Cup1 MT, so that they should be considered to delineate a new point of view on the interaction between copper‐thioneins and divalent metal ions, still an unexplored aspect in MT research.     

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).     

Bioaccumulation of metals and induction of metallo‐ thioneins in selected tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) co‐exposed to cadmium,mercury and lead

The concentrations of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) at various exposure periods were determined in the gill, kidney, liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) co‐exposed to 1.0 µg ml^?1 each of Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ for up to 10 days. Metallothionein fractions (MTs) in these organs were characterized using the hyphenated technique of size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). After 10 days of exposure, maximum toxic metal concentrations of Hg, Cd and Pb were 10.7 (gill), 0.145 (kidney) and 0.112 µg g^?1_dryweight (gill), respectively. The pattern of accumulation of Hg and Pb was in the order gill > kidney > liver > muscle. In the case of Cd, accumulation was in the order kidney > gill > liver > muscle. Cd and Hg binding MTs were significantly induced in the gill, kidney and liver of all the exposure groups in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05), and the amounts of them increased with the longer exposure time. Despite the higher intracellular Hg concentration and the stronger Hg? SH binding affinity, the amount of Cd‐binding MTs was much higher than that of Hg‐binding MTs. The results indicate that MT synthesis in these organs was clearly metal‐specific. MTs in gill may be used as a bio‐marker to detect the metal pollution caused by Hg and Cd. Zinc and copper binding MTs in the organs of the exposed fish were also increased. This may be due to the MTs' important role in the homeostatic regulation of essential metals and their protective role against the acute toxicity of non‐essential metals. Even though there was considerable accumulation of lead in the organs of the exposed fish, Pb‐binding MT synthesis was non‐significant. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct Electron Transfer and Electrocatalysis of Myoglobin Based on its Direct Immobilization on Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode

Direct electron transfer of myoglobin (Mb) was achieved by its direct immobilization on carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) with a conductive hydrophobic ionic liquid, 1‐butyl pyridinium hexaflourophosphate ([BuPy][PF₆]) as binder for the first time. A pair of well‐defined, quasi‐reversible redox peaks was observed for Mb/CILE resulting from Mb redox of heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) with oxidation potential of ?0.277 V, reduction potential of ?0.388 V, the formal potential E°′ (E°′=(E_pa+E_pc)/2) at ?0.332 V and the peak‐to‐peak potential separation of 0.111 V at 0.5 V/s. The average surface coverage of the electroactive Mb immobilized on the electrode surface was calculated as 1.06±0.03×10^?9 mol cm^?2. Mb retained its bioactivity on modified electrode and showed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H₂O₂. The cathodic peak current of Mb was linear to H₂O₂ concentration in the range from 6.0 μM to 160 μM with a detection limit of 2.0 μM (S/N=3). The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K and the electron transfer rate constant (k_s) were estimated to be 140±1 μM and 2.8±0.1 s^?1, respectively. The biosensor achieved the direct electrochemistry of Mb on CILE without the help of any supporting film or any electron mediator.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of p‐tert‐Butyl‐sulfonylcalix[4]arene and Its Selective Complexation with Metal Ions at Water‐Air Interface

The electrochemical behavior of p‐tert‐butyl‐sulfonylcalix[4]arene (SCA) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results show that there is an irreversible electrochemical oxidative wave when the potential ranges from 0.9 to 1.9 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in CH₂Cl₂ at a glassy carbon electrode. The kinetic parameters of the andic wave, such as α,n, k_s, D and the diffusion activation energy (E_d), were discussed. In addition, the interaction of SCA with metal ions at the water‐air interface was also discussed by Langmuir‐Blodgett (LB) techniques. The results confirm that the selectivity of SCA as ligand for Pb²⁺ in monomolecular film is very high by complexation action, which provide the foundation that LB film of SCA modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as voltammetric sensor to detect trace amounts of Pb²⁺.