The Cu-MOF-199/single-walled carbon nanotubes modified electrode for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol with extended linear ranges and lower detection limits

A novel electrochemical sensor based on Cu-MOF-199 [Cu-MOF-199 = Cu₃(BTC)₂ (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylicacid)] and SWCNTs (single-walled carbon nanotubes) was fabricated for the simultaneous determination of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT). The modification procedure was carried out through casting SWCNTs on the bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and followed by the electrodeposition of Cu-MOF-199 on the SWCNTs modified electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to characterize the electrochemical performance and surface characteristics of the as-prepared sensor. The composite electrode exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity with increased electrochemical signals towards the oxidation of HQ and CT, owing to the synergistic effect of SWCNTs and Cu-MOF-199. Under the optimized condition, the linear response range were from 0.1 to 1453 μmol L⁻¹ (R_HQ = 0.9999) for HQ and 0.1–1150 μmol L⁻¹ (R_CT = 0.9990) for CT. The detection limits for HQ and CT were as low as 0.08 and 0.1 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, the modified electrode presented the good reproducibility and the excellent anti-interference performance. The analytical performance of the developed sensor for the simultaneous detection of HQ and CT had been evaluated in practical samples with satisfying results.     

Characterization of the gold-catalyzed deposition of silver on graphite screen-printed electrodes and their application to the development of impedimetric immunosensors

This paper describes the characterization of the gold-catalyzed deposition of silver on graphite screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the application of this approach to the development of impedimetric immunosensors. After applying −0.1 V for 45 s, the amount of electrodeposited silver quantitatively changes the magnitude of two elements of the electrical equivalent circuit: the interface capacitance, Ci, and the charge-transfer resistance, R_CT. Better correlations have been found when considering the R_CT since this parameter is almost exclusively dependent on the amount of deposited silver under these experimental conditions. This approach has been successfully applied to the development of an impedimetric immunosensor for aflatoxin M₁. The R_CT magnitude shows good correlation with the amount of gold immobilized on the electrode surface after a competitive assay and thus, with the toxin concentration. This approach has been found sensitive in a wide range of concentrations, from 15 to 1000 free-AFM₁ ppt with a limit of detection of 12 ppt.     

Glucose concentration determination based on silica sol-gel encapsulated glucose oxidase optical biosensor arrays

Optical biosensor arrays for rapidly determining the glucose concentrations in a large number of beverage and blood samples were developed by immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOD) on oxygen sensor layer. Glucose oxidase was first encapsulated in silica based gels through sol-gel approach and then immobilized on 96-well microarrays integrated with oxygen sensing film at the bottom. The oxygen sensing film was made of an organically modified silica film (ORMOSIL) doped with tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium dichloride (Ru(dpp)₃Cl₂). The oxidation reaction of glucose by glucose oxidase could be monitored through fluorescence intensity enhancement due to the oxygen consumption in the reaction. The luminescence changing rate evaluated by the dynamic transient method (DTM) was correlated with the glucose concentration with the wide linear range from 0.1 to 5.0 mM (Y = 13.28X − 0.128, R = 0.9968) and low detection limit (0.06 mM). The effects of pH and coexisting ions were systemically studied. The results showed that the optical biosensor arrays worked under a wide range of pH value, and normal interfering species such as Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, PO₄³⁻, and ascorbic acid did not cause apparent interference on the measurement. The activity of glucose oxidase was mostly retained even after 2-month storage, indicating their long-term stability.     

Functionalization of gold cysteamine self-assembled monolayer with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as a novel nanosensor

Electrochemical characterization of gold cysteamine self-assembled monolayer, in situ functionalized with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Au-CA-EDTA SAM), is described by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Osteryoung square wave voltammetry (OSWV). The results obtained by EIS and CV, in the presence of [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− redox probe, show that EDTA is successfully grafted to the surface of Au-CA electrode. Reproducible and reversible variation of the R_ct and ΔEp as a function of solution pH show that Au-CA-EDTA SAM is stable in a wide range of pH and potentials. Accumulation of the Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions on the Au-CA-EDTA SAM electrode is investigated using faradaic currents or impedimetric effects measured by OSWV and EIS, respectively. These results reveal the presence of active complexing functional groups of EDTA on the surface, and thus, the formation of Au-CA-EDTA SAM electrode. The new sensor responds to the Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ separately and simultaneously in a wide linear range of concentrations.     

Development and evaluation of a diffusive gradients in a thin film technique for measuring ammonium in freshwaters

A new diffusive gradients in a thin film (DGT) technique, using Microlite PrCH cation exchange resin, was developed and evaluated for measuring NH₄–N in freshwaters. Microlite PrCH had high uptake (>92.5%) and elution efficiencies (87.2% using 2 mol L⁻¹ NaCl). Mass vs. time validation experiments over 24 h demonstrated excellent linearity (R² ≥ 0.996). PrCH-DGT binding layers had an extremely high intrinsic binding capacity for NH₄–N (∼3000 μg). NH₄–N uptake was quantitative over pH ranges 3.5–8.5 and ionic strength (up to 0.012 mol L⁻¹ as NaCl) typical of freshwater systems. Several cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) were found to compete with NH₄–N for uptake by PrCH-DGT, but NH₄–N uptake was quantitative over concentration ranges typical of freshwater (up to 0.012 mol L⁻¹ Na⁺, 0.006 mol L⁻¹ K⁺, 0.003 mol L⁻¹ Ca²⁺ and 0.004 mol L⁻¹ Mg²⁺). Effective diffusion coefficients determined from mass vs. time experiments changed non-linearly with electrical conductivity. Field deployments of DGT samplers with varying diffusive layer thicknesses validated the use of the technique in situ, allowed deployment times to be manipulated with respect to NH₄–N concentration, and enable the calculation of the diffusive boundary layer thickness. Daily grab sample NH₄–N concentrations were observed to vary considerably independent of major rainfall events, but good agreements were obtained between PrCH-DGT values and mean grab sample measurements of NH₄–N (C_DGT:C_SOLN 0.83–1.3). Reproducibility of DGT measurements in the field was good (relative standard deviation < 11%). Limit of detection was 0.63 μg L⁻¹ (equivalent to 0.045 μmol L⁻¹) based on 24 h deployments.     

In situ synthesis of ceria nanoparticles in the ordered mesoporous carbon as a novel electrochemical sensor for the determination of hydrazine

A novel ceria (CeO₂)–ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) modified electrode for the sensitive amperometric determination of hydrazine was reported. CeO₂–OMC composites were synthesized via a hydrothermal method at a relatively low temperature (180 °C) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microcopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The CeO₂–OMC modified glassy carbon electrode was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) and indicated good electrocatalytic effect to the oxidation of hydrazine. Under the optimized conditions, the present sensor could be used to measure hydrazine in wide linear range from 40 nM to 192 μM (R² = 0.999) with a low detection limit of 12 nM (S/N = 3). Additionally, the sensor has been successfully applied to detect hydrazine in real water samples and the recoveries were between 98.2% and 105.6%. Eventually, the sensor exhibited an excellent stability and reproducibility as a promising method for determination of hydrazine.     

Detection of nitrogen dioxide using mixed tungsten oxide-based thick film semiconductor sensor

The thick film semiconductor sensor for NO₂ gas detection was fabricated by screen-printing method using a mixed WO₃-based as sensing material. The sensing characteristics, such as response time, response linearity, sensitivity, working range, cross sensitivity, and long-term stability were further studied by using a WO₃-based mixed with different metal oxides (SnO₂, TiO₂ and In₂O₃) and doped with noble metals (Au, Pd and Pt) as sensing materials was observed. The highest sensitivity for low concentrations (<16 mg l⁻¹) was observed using WO₃-based mixed with In₂O₃ or TiO₂. The NO₂ gas sensor showing the fastest response and recovery time (both within 2 min), good linearity (Y=0.606X+0.788 R²=0.991) for gas concentrations from 3 to 310 mg l⁻¹, low resistance (3 MΩ), high sensitivity, undesirable cross sensitivity effect and good long-term stability (at least 120 days) using WO₃-SnO₂-Au as sensing material.     

Polyaniline-iron oxide nanohybrid film as multi-functional label-free electrochemical and biomagnetic sensor for catechol

Polyaniline-iron oxide magnetic nanohybrid was synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic, microstructural and electrochemical techniques. The smart integration of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles within the polyaniline (PANI) matrix yielded a mesoporous nanohybrid (Fe₃O₄@PANI) with high surface area (94 m² g⁻¹) and average pore width of 12.8 nm. Catechol is quasi-reversibly oxidized to o-quinone and reduced at the Fe₃O₄@PANI modified electrodes. The amperometric current response toward catechol was evaluated using the nanohybrid and the sensitivity and detection limit were found to be 312 μA μL⁻¹ and 0.2 nM, respectively. The results from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that the increased solution resistance (R_s) was due to elevated adsorption of catechol on the modified electrodes. Photoluminescence spectra showed ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) between p-π orbitals of the phenolate oxygen in catechol and the d-σ* metal orbital of Fe₃O₄@PANI nanohybrid. Potential dependent spectroelectrochemical behavior of Fe₃O₄@PANI nanohybrid toward catechol was studied using UV/vis/NIR spectroscopy. The binding activity of the biomagnetic particles to catechol through Brownian relaxation was evident from AC susceptibility measurements. The proposed sensor was used for successful recovery of catechol in tap water samples.     

Coupled electrochemical-chemical procedure used in construction of molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrode: a highly sensitive impedimetric melamine sensor

A novel molecularly imprinted sensor was fabricated and used for the impedimetric detection of melamine. Considering the identity of polymeric film and the pK _a of a melamine template, an effective procedure was established to construct the MIP-based melamine sensor. The proposed method is based on the electropolymerization of pyrrole (Py) in the presence of melamine on the electrochemically reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode (ERGO/GCE), followed by treatment with the solution of 1% H₂O₂ in alkaline water/CH₃CN-mixed solvents. The surface morphology and the electrical feature of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The EIS was also utilized to transduce the change of charge transfer resistance (R _ct) at the interface of polymer film-electrolyte, after subsequent incubation of electrode in the solution containing different concentrations of analyte, and consequently, a linear response was obtained over the range of 4.0 to 240 nM with a detection limit of 0.83 nM (S/N = 3). The effect of possible interferences on the response of sensor was studied, and the results confirmed the good selectivity of the proposed device for melamine assay. The MIP sensor was successfully applied to determine melamine in a multiple concentration-spiked milk sample.     

Polymerized Nile Blue derivatives for plasticizer-free fluorescent ion optode microsphere sensors

Lipophilic H⁺-selective fluorophores such as Nile Blue derivatives are widely used in ISE-based pH sensors and bulk optodes, and are commonly dissolved in a plasticized matrix such as PVC. Unfortunately, leaching of the active sensing ingredients and plasticizer from the matrix dictates the lifetime of the sensors and hampers their applications in vivo, especially with miniaturized particle based sensors. We find that classical copolymerization of Nile Blue derivatives containing an acrylic side group gives rise to multiple reaction products with different spectral and H⁺-binding properties, making this approach unsuitable for the development of reliable sensor materials. This limitation was overcome by grafting Nile Blue to a self-plasticized poly(n-butyl acrylate) matrix via an urea or amide linkage between the Nile Blue base structure and the polymer. Optode leaching experiments into methanol confirmed the successful covalent attachment of the two chromoionophores to the polymer matrix. Both polymerized Nile Blue derivatives have satisfactory pH response and appropriate optical properties that are suitable for use in ion-selective electrodes and optodes. Plasticizer-free Na⁺-selective microsphere sensors using the polymerized chromoionophores were fabricated under mild conditions with an in-house sonic microparticle generator for the measurement of sodium activities at physiological pH. The measuring range for sodium was found as 10⁻¹-10⁻⁴ M and 1-10⁻³ M, for Nile Blue derivatives linked via urea and amide functionalities, respectively, at physiological pH. The observed ion-exchange constants of the plasticizer-free microsphere were log K_exch = −5.6 and log K_exch = −6.5 for the same two systems, respectively. Compared with earlier Na⁺-selective bulk optodes, the fabricated optical sensing microbeads reported here have agreeable selectivity patterns, reasonably fast response times, and more appropriate measuring ranges for determination of Na⁺ activity at physiological pH in undiluted blood samples.     

Characterization of gold-thiol-8-hydroxyquinoline self-assembled monolayers for selective recognition of aluminum ion using voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Gold electrode surface is modified via covalent attachment of a synthesized thiol functionalized with 8-hydroxyquinoline, p-((8-hydroxyquinoline)azo) benzenethiol (SHQ), for the first time. The behavior of the nanostructured electrode surface (Au–SHQ) is characterized by electrochemical techniques including cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry (CV and DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The modified surface is stable in a wide range of potentials and pHs. A surface pK_a of 6.0 ± 0.1 is obtained for Au–SHQ electrode using surface acid/base titration curves constructed by CV and EIS measurements as a function of pH. These results helped to determine the charge state of the surface as a function of pH. The gold modified electrode surface showed good affinity for sensing the Al(III) ion at pH 5.5. The sensing process is based on (i) accumulation and complex formation between Al(III) from the solution phase and 8HQ function on the Au electrode surface (recognition step) and (ii) monitoring the impedance of the Au–SHQ–Al(III) complex against redox reaction rate of parabenzoquinone (PBQ) (signal transduction step). The PBQ is found to be a more suitable probe for this purpose, after testing several others. Thus, the sensor was tested for quantitative determination of Al(III) from the solution phase. At the optimized conditions, a linear response, from 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ to 1.2 × 10⁻⁵ M Al(III) in semi-logarithmic scale, with a detection limit of 8.32 × 10⁻¹² M and mean relative standard deviation of 3.2% for n = 3 at 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M Al(III) is obtained. Possible interferences from coexisting cations and anions are also studied. The results show that many ions do not interfere significantly with the sensor response for Al(III). Validity of the method and applicability of the sensor are successfully tested by determination of Al(III) in human blood serum samples.     

Monitoring microbial populations of sulfate-reducing bacteria using an impedimetric immunosensor based on agglutination assay

An impedimetric immunosensor was fabricated for rapid and non-labeled detection of sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulforibrio caledoiensis (SRB) by immobilizing lectin-Concanavalin A using an agglutination assay. The immobilization of lectin was conducted using amine coupling on the surface of a gold (Au) electrode assembled with 11-Mercaptoundecanoic acid. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to verify the stepwise assembly of the sensor system. The work conditions of the impedimetric immunosensor, such as pH of the buffer solutions and the incubation time of lectin, were optimized. Faradic impedance spectra for charge transfer for the redox probe Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−were measured to determine SRB concentrations. The diameter of the Nyquist diagram that is equal to the charge-transfer resistance (R_ct) increased with increasing SRB concentration. A linear relationship between R_ct and SRB concentration was obtained in SRB concentration range of 1.8 to 1.8 × 10⁷ cfu/ml. The variation of the SRB population during the growth process was also monitored using the impedimetric immunosensor. This approach has great potential for simple, low-cost, and time-saving monitoring of microbial populations.     

Resistivity–viscosity relationship in liquid–liquid critical mixtures with added ions

Precise resistivity ρ (Ω cm) and viscosity η (10⁻² P) measurements for isobutyric acid–water (IBAW) critical mixtures with added K⁺ and Cl⁻ ions have been performed in the Arrhenius temperature domain of the electrolyte. From the activation energy, the resistivity–viscosity relation reveals a fraction power character over the whole range of parameters investigated. To analyze our data we have used an exponential formula derived from the equivalent Arrhenius law: ρ/T is proportional to (η/T)^R, where R = E_ρ/E_η is the ratio between the resistivity and viscosity activation energies. In the case of the pure system (IBAW), the value of R is in vicinity of 1, but when the salt is added, the ratio R shows dependence on the (K⁺, Cl⁻) concentrations: 0.6 < R < 1. The domain of the validity of R is in conformity with the theoretical prediction. The Coulombic interaction is the origin of the deviation.     

Preparation of cobalt-tetraphenylporphyrin/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite and its application on hydrogen peroxide biosensor

A novel cobalt-tetraphenylporphyrin/reduced graphene oxide (CoTPP/RGO) nanocomposite was prepared by a π–π stacking interaction and characterized by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CoTPP/RGO nanocomposite exhibited high electrocatalytic activity both for oxidation and reduction of H₂O₂. The current response was linear to H₂O₂ concentration with the concentration range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.4 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ (R = 0.998) at the reductive potential of −0.20 V and from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.6 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ (R = 0.996) at the oxidative potential of +0.50 V. The H₂O₂ biosensor showed good anti-interfering ability towards oxidative interferences at the oxidative potential of +0.50 V and good anti-interfering ability towards reductive interferences at the reductive potential of −0.20 V.     

Amperometric detection of nitrite based on Dawson-type vanodotungstophosphate and carbon nanotubes

A nitrite sensor based on Dawson vanodotungstophosphates α₂-K₇P₂VW₁₇O₆₂·18H₂O (P₂W₁₇V) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was prepared by electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. The sensor {PEI/PSS/[PDDA/P₂W₁₇V-CNTs]_n} was characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The electron transfer and sensing ability of this sensor were explored using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) technology. The results show that the incorporation of CNTs and P₂W₁₇V into the composite film endowed the modified electrode with fast transfer rate and high electrocatalytic activity towards oxidation of nitrite. This nitrite sensor with 10 bilayers has a broad linear range of 5 × 10⁻⁸ to 2.13 × 10⁻³ M, a low detection limit of 0.0367 μM (S N⁻¹ = 3), a high sensitivity of 0.35 mA mM⁻¹ NO₂⁻, an excellent anti-interference property in the presence of other potential interfering species and a good stable. It was successfully employed for determination of nitrite in real towards.     

Label-free detection of rheumatoid factor using YbYxOy electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor devices

In this study, we investigated the effect of yttrium content on the structural properties and sensing characteristics of YbY_xO_y sensing membranes for electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (EIS) sensors to detect the rheumatoid factor (RF). The YbY_xO_y EIS device prepared at the 60 W plasma condition exhibited a higher sensitivity of 65.77 mV/pH, a lower hysteresis voltage of ∼1 mV, and a smaller drift rate of 0.14 mV/h than did those prepared at the other conditions. We attribute this behavior to the optimal yttrium content in the YbY_xO_y film forming a smooth surface. Furthermore, we used a novel YbTi_xO_y EIS biosensor to measure the RF antigen in human serum because of its rapid and label-free detection. Two different techniques were used for the immobilization of RF antibody onto the surface of an YbTi_xO_y EIS sensor. The RF antibody was directly immobilized on the EIS surface modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) followed by glutaraldehyde (GA). In contrast, a mixture of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) solution was used to functionalize the carboxyl groups at the tail of RF antibodies. RF antibodies functionalized with the active NHS esters were covalently immobilized on the APTES-modified YbTi_xO_y surface. The immobilized RF antibodies on the EIS that are functionalized with the EDC and NHS exhibit higher (41.11 mV/pC_RF) for detection of serum RF antigen in the range 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻³ M, compared to traditional antibody immobilization technique via APTES and GA linkage. The YbTi_xO_y EIS biosensor is a promising analytical tool for RF antigen monitoring due to its good sensitivity, stability and repeatability.     

Fluorescence energy transfer probes based on the guanine quadruplex formation for the fluorometric detection of potassium ion

Dual-labeled oligonucleotide derivative, FAT-0, carrying 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) and 6-carboxy-tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) labels at 5′- and 3′-termini of thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) sequence 5′-GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG-3′ and its derivatives, FAT-n (n = 3, 5, and 7) were designed and synthesized. FAT-n derivatives contained a T_mA spacer (m = 2, 4, and 6, respectively) at 5′-end of TBA sequence. The probes were developed to estimate the spacer effect on FRET efficiency and to identify the best probe for sensing of K⁺. Circular dichroism (CD), UV-vis absorption, and fluorescence studies revealed that all FAT-n probes could form the intramolecular tetraplex structures after binding K⁺. Association constants of particular K⁺/FAT-n complexes were determined using different experimental approaches. Suitability of particular probes for sensitive monitoring of K⁺ in intra- and extracellular conditions was examined and discussed. Calibration graphs of fluorescence ratio were linear in the K⁺ concentration range of 2-10 mM for extracellular conditions showing sensitivity of 1.2% mM⁻¹ K⁺ and for intracellular conditions in the range of 100-200 mM with sensitivity of 0.49% mM⁻¹ K⁺.     

Mercury(II) selective sensors based on AlGaN/GaN transistors

This work presents the first polymer approach to detect metal ions using AlGaN/GaN transistor-based sensor. The sensor utilised an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor-type structure by functionalising the gate area with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based ion selective membrane. Sensors based on this technology are portable, robust and typically highly sensitive to the target analyte; in this case Hg²⁺. This sensor showed a rapid and stable response when it was introduced to solutions of varying Hg²⁺ concentrations. At pH 2.8 in a 10⁻² M KNO₃ ion buffer, a detection limit below 10⁻⁸ M and a linear response range between 10⁻⁸ M-10⁻⁴ M were achieved. This detection limit is an order of magnitude lower than the reported detection limit of 10⁻⁷ M for thioglycolic acid monolayer functionalised AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices. Detection limits of approximately 10⁻⁷ M and 10⁻⁶ M in 10⁻² M Cd(NO₃)₂ and 10⁻² M Pb(NO₃)₂ ion buffers were also achieved, respectively. Furthermore, we show that the apparent gate response was near-Nernstian under various conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments confirmed that the sensing membrane is reversible after being exposed to Hg²⁺ solution and rinsed with deionised water. The success of this study precedes the development of this technology in selectively sensing multiple ions in water with use of the appropriate polymer based membranes on arrays of devices.     

High dielectric constant PrYxOy sensing films electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor pH-sensor for the detection of urea

In this paper, we describe the structural and sensing properties of high-k PrY_xO_y sensing films deposited on Si substrates through reactive co-sputtering. Secondary ion mass spectrometry and atomic force microscopy were employed to analyze the compositional and morphological features of these films after annealing at various temperatures. The electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) device incorporating a PrY_xO_y sensing membrane that had been annealed at 800 °C exhibited good sensing characteristics, including a high sensitivity (59.07 mV pH⁻¹ in solutions from pH 2 to 12), a low hysteresis voltage (2.4 mV in the pH loop 7 → 4 → 7 → 10 → 7), and a small drift rate (0.62 mV h⁻¹ in the buffer solution at pH 7). The PrY_xO_y EIS device also showed a high selective response towards H⁺. This improvement can be attributed to the small number of crystal defects and the large surface roughness. In addition, the enzymatic EIS-based urea biosensor incorporating a high-k PrY_xO_y sensing film annealed at 800 °C allowed the potentiometric analysis of urea, at concentrations ranging from 1 to 16 mM, with a sensitivity of 9.59 mV mM⁻¹.     

In-situ electrochemical and piezogravimetric studies on the application of macrocyclic resorcinarene tetramer in the development of chemically-modified heavy metals ions detection platform in aqueous media

The new application of C-dec-9-enylcalix[4]resorcinarene (R₁), as an ionophore to detect heavy metals (HMs) cations (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺) in the aqueous media has been investigated through the preparation of an effective mass-sensitive sensor via the exploitation of a flow-type QCM-I technique. By adjusting the ions’ amounts in model solutions over a wide range of concentrations, acquired changes in the oscillating frequency related to the loading of metal ions on the sensor’s surface were gained, and thus favorable metrological parameters displaying the lowest detection limit (LOD) associated with copper ions (10 ppb). Simultaneously, a novel voltammetric sensor was prepared by modifying gold screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) with R₁. Electrochemical characterization employing CV, SWV, and EIS was carried out, showing the success of the electrode modification. Then, the experimental conditions of supporting electrolyte, pH, accumulation time, and accumulation potential were optimized to achieve an enhanced detection. The R₁@SPE sensor simultaneously detected the HMs (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺), and the lowest LOD was associated with Pb²⁺ (0.19 ppb). The selectivity evaluation of the electrochemical sensor was performed by studying the effect of interferences majorly present in water sources (Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Al³⁺, and K⁺) on the SWV detection signals, and it was revealed that the interfering ions did not affect the simultaneous detection of the studied HMs (RSD less than 5%), the voltammetric sensors also presented excellent repeatability and reproducibility (RSD less than 5%).