Modification of glassy carbon electrode with a polymer/mediator composite and its application for the electrochemical detection of iodate

A modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared by depositing a composite of polymer and mediator on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The mediator, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and the polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) were electrochemically deposited as a composite on the GCE by applying cyclic voltammetry (CV). This modified electrode is hereafter designated as GCE/PEDOT/FAD. FAD was found to significantly enhance the growth of PEDOT. Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) analysis was performed to study the mass changes in the electrode during the electrodeposition of PEDOT, with and without the addition of FAD. The optimal cycle number for preparing the modified electrode was determined to be 9, and the corresponding surface coverage of FAD (Γ_FAD) was ca. 5.11 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻². The amperometric detection of iodate was performed in a 100 mM buffer solution (pH 1.5). The GCE/PEDOT/FAD showed a sensitivity of 0.78 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻², a linear range of 4–140 μM, and a limit of detection of 0.16 μM for iodate. The interference effects of 250-fold Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, I⁻, SO₄²⁻ and SO₃²⁻, with reference to the concentration of iodate were negligible. The long-term stability of GCE/PEDOT/FAD was also investigated. The GCE/PEDOT/FAD electrode retained 82% of its initial amperometric response to iodate after 7 days. The GCE/PEDOT/FAD was also applied to determine iodate in a commercial salt.     

Amperometric sulfite sensor based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes/ferrocene-branched chitosan composites

A novel amperometric sensor for the determination of sulfite was fabricated based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/ferrocene-branched chitosan (CHIT-Fc) composites-covered glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical behavior of the sensor was investigated in detail by cyclic voltammetry. The apparent surface electron transfer rate constant (K_s) and charge transfer coefficient (α) of the CHIT-Fc/MWCNTs/GCE were also determined by cyclic voltammetry, which were about 1.93 cm s⁻¹ and 0.42, respectively. The sensor displayed good electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of sulfite. The peak potential for the oxidation of sulfite was lowered by at least 330 mV compared with that obtained at CHIT/MWCNTs/GCE. In optimal conditions, linear range spans the concentration of sulfite from 5 μM to 1.5 mM and the detection limit was 2.8 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The proposed method was used for the determination of sulfite in boiler water. In addition, the sensor has good stability and reproducibility.     

Rapid determination of acetaminophen and p-aminophenol in pharmaceutical formulations using miniaturized capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection

Capability of fast analysis of a novel miniaturized capillary electrophoresis with carbon disk electrode amperometric detection (mini-CE-AD) system was demonstrated by determining acetaminophen and p-aminophenol in dosage forms. Factors influencing the separation and detection processes were examined and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the end-capillary 300 μm carbon disc electrode amperometric detector offered favorable signal-to-noise characteristics at a relatively low potential (+600 mV versus Ag/AgCl) for detecting acetaminophen and p-aminophenol. Two analytes can been separated within 150 s in a 8.5 cm length capillary at a separation voltage of 2000 V using a Na₂B₄O₇-KH₂PO₄ running buffer (pH 7.2). Acetaminophen and p-aminophenol could be detected down to the 1.4 × 10⁻⁶-5.9 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ level with linearity up to the 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ level examined. The inter-day repeatability for analytes in peak current (R.S.D. ≤ 2.3%) and migration times (R.S.D. ≤ 1.3%) were excellent. The proposed mini-CE-AD system should find a wide range of analytical applications in pharmaceutical formulations as an alternative to conventional CE and μ-CE.     

Electrochemical Characteristics of Poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Aminobenzoic Acid) Modified Glassy-Carbon Electrode and Its Electrocatalytic Activity towards Oxidation of Epinephrine

Poly(o-aminobenzoic acid) (o-ABA) film is deposited on glassy-carbon electrode (GCE) by electropolymerization in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Electrochemical behavior of modified electrode is investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), different pulse voltammetry (DPV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results indicate that there is a greater resistance during the electron transfer process in poly(o-ABA) film than in bare GCE for the redox of [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻/[Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻. Further research indicates that epinephrine (EP) can be strongly absorbed on the surface of the poly(o-ABA) film-modified electrode. The modified electrode shows an excellent electrocatalytical activity on EP oxidation. The EP cathodic peak potential shifts negatively with a slope of −53.5 mV/pH, indicating that equal amounts of proton and electron are involved in the electrode reaction process. In pH 7.0 PBS, the peak current of EP and the concentration has a linear relationship from 0 to 65 μM by amperometric current-time curve. __________ From Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 9, 2005, pp. 1059–1065. Original English Text Copyright ? 2005 by Cheng, Jin, Zhang. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation behavior of guanosine at graphene, chitosan and Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode and its determination

A graphene, chitosan and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (nano-Fe₃O₄) modified glassy carbon electrode (graphene-chitosan/nano-Fe₃O₄/GCE) was fabricated. The modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscope and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical oxidation behavior of guanosine was investigated in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The experimental results indicated that the modified electrode exhibited an electrocatalytic and adsorptive activities towards the oxidation of guanosine. The transfer electron number (n), transfer proton number (m) and electrochemically effective surface area (A) were calculated. Under the optimized conditions, the oxidation peak current was proportional to guanosine concentration in the range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.5 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ with the correlation coefficient of 0.9939 and the detection limit of 7.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). Moreover, the modified electrode showed good ability to discriminate the electrochemical oxidation response of guanosine, guanine and adenosine. The proposed method was further applied to determine guanosine in spiked urine samples and traditional Chinese medicines with satisfactory results.     

Nafion-graphene composite film modified glassy carbon electrode for voltammetric determination of p-aminophenol

A Nafion-graphene (Nafion-GR) nanocomposite film modified glassy carbon electrode was fabricated by a simple drop-casting method, and used in the electrochemical detection of p-aminophenol (4-AP). Owing to the large surface area, good conductivity of GR and good affinity of Nafion, the sensor exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of 4-AP. The electrochemical behaviors of 4-AP on Nafion/GR film modified glassy carbon electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. A calibration curve is constructed in the same matrix, urine, as the unknown samples to be analyzed. The Nafion-GR film modified electrode was linearly dependent on the 4-AP concentration and the linear analytical curve was obtained in the ranges of 0.5–200 μM with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and the detection limit was 0.051 μM. The Nafion-graphene nanocomposite modified electrode exhibited good reusability than pure graphene modified GCE. This procedure can be used for the determination of p-aminophenol in the presence of its degradation products and paracetamol. Finally, the proposed method was successfully used to determine p-aminophenol in local tap water samples in urine samples and pharmaceutical preparations.     

Simultaneous determination of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol and p-aminophenol with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) modified glassy carbon electrode

A sensitive and selective method was developed for the determination of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP) and p-aminophenol (PAP) using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to investigate the electrochemical reaction of APAP and PAP at the modified electrode. Both APAP and PAP showed quasireversible redox reactions with formal potentials of 367 mV and 101 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), respectively, in phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.0. The significant peak potential difference (266 mV) between APAP and PAP enabled the simultaneous determination both species based on differential pulse voltammetry. The voltammetric responses gave linear ranges of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶-1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and 4.0 × 10⁻⁶-3.2 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹, with detection limits of 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ and 1.2 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ for APAP and PAP, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of APAP and PAP in pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples.     

An electrochemical ascorbic acid sensor based on palladium nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide

In this study, an electrochemical ascorbic acid (AA) sensor was constructed based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with palladium nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide (PdNPs-GO). PdNPs with a mean diameter of 2.6 nm were homogeneously deposited on GO sheets by the redox reaction between PdCl₄²⁻ and GO. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric methods were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of AA in neutral media. Compared to a bare GC or a Pd electrode, the anodic peak potential of AA (0.006 V) at PdNPs-GO modified electrode was shifted negatively, and the large anodic peak potential separation (0.172 V) of AA and dopamine (DA), which could contribute to the synergistic effect of GO and PdNPs, was investigated. A further amperometric experiment proved that the proposed sensor was capable of sensitive and selective sensing of AA even in the presence of DA and uric acid. The modified electrode exhibited a rapid response to AA within 5 s and the amperometric signal showed a good linear correlation to AA concentration in a broad range from 20 μM to 2.28 mM with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.9991. Moreover, the proposed sensor was applied to the determination of AA in vitamin C tablet samples. The satisfactory results obtained indicated that the proposed sensor was promising for the development of novel electrochemical sensing for AA determination.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of 4-aminophenol at a single-wall carbon nanotubes film coated electrode

A single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT)-Nafion film coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was described for the determination of 4-aminophenol. In pH 3.0 sodium citrate-HCl buffer, the oxidation peak current of 4-aminophenol increases greatly at the SWNT-Nafion film coated GCE in contrast to that at both bare GCE and Nafion-film coated GCE. Moreover, the oxidation peak potential shifts to more negative potential. All the experimental parameters were optimized for the determination of 4-aminophenol. The oxidation peak current is proportional to the concentration of 4-aminophenol over the range from 5×10⁻⁹ to 2×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹. The detection limit is 8×10⁻¹⁰ mol l⁻¹ at 4 min of accumulation. Using the proposed method, 4-aminophenol in water samples was determined.     

Functionalization of graphene with electrodeposited Prussian blue towards amperometric sensing application

Prussian blue (PB) was grown compactly on graphene matrix by electrochemical deposition. The as-prepared PB-graphene modified glassy carbon electrode (PB-graphene/GCE) showed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards both the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and the oxidation of hydrazine, which could be attributed to the remarkable synergistic effect of graphene and PB. The PB-graphene/GCE showed sensitive response to H₂O₂ with a wide linear range of 10-1440 μM at 0.0 V, and to hydrazine with a wide linear range of 10-3000 μM at 0.35 V. The detection limit was 3 μM and 7 μM, respectively, and both of them had rapid response within 5 s to reach 95% steady state response. The wide linear range, good selectivity and long-time stability of the PB-graphene/GCE make it possible for the practical amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide and hydrazine.     

Non-enzymatic electrochemical CuO nanoflowers sensor for hydrogen peroxide detection

The electrocatalytic activity of a CuO flower-like nanostructured electrode was investigated in terms of its application to enzyme-less amperometric H₂O₂ sensors. The CuO nanoflowers film was directly formed by chemical oxidation of copper foil under hydrothermal condition and then used as active electrode material of non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors for H₂O₂ detection under alkaline conditions. The sensitivity of the sensor with CuO nanoflowers electrode was 88.4 μA/mM cm² with a linear response in the range from 4.25 × 10⁻⁵ to 4 × 10⁻² M and a detection limit of 0.167 μM (S/N = 3). Excellent electrocatalytic activity, large surface-to-volume ratio and efficient electron transport property of CuO nanoflowers electrode have enabled stable and highly sensitive performance for the non-enzymatic H₂O₂ sensor.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin in gelatine film modified glassy carbon electrode

Direct electrochemical and electrocatalytic behavior of hemoglobin (Hb) immobilized on glass carbon electrode (GCE) containing gelatine (Gel) films was investigated. The characteristics of Hb/Gel film modified GC electrode were performed by using SEM microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. The immobilized Hb showed a couple of quasi-reversible redox peak with a formal potential of −0.38 V (versus SCE) in 0.1 M pH 7.0 PBS. The formal potential changed linearly from pH 4.03 to 8.41 with a slope value of −52.0 mV pH⁻¹, which suggested that a proton transfer was accompanied with each electron transfer (ET) in the electrochemical reaction. The Hb/gelatine/GCE displayed a rapid amperometric response to the reduction of H₂O₂ and nitrite.     

A sensitive amperometric sensor for hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide based on palladium nanoparticles/onion-like mesoporous carbon vesicle

Onion-like mesoporous carbon vesicle (MCV) with multilayer lamellar structure was synthesized by a simply aqueous emulsion co-assembly approach. Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were deposited on the MCV matrix (Pd/MCV) by chemical reduction of H₂PdCl₄ with NaBH₄ in aqueous media. Pd(X)/MCV (X wt.% indicates the Pd loading amount) nanocomposites with different Pd loading amount were obtained by adjusting the ratio of precursors. The particular structure of the MCV results in efficient mass transport and the onion-like layers of MCV allows for the obtainment of highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles. The introduction of Pd nanoparticles on the MCV matrix facilitates hydrazine oxidation at more negative potential and delivers higher oxidation current in comparison with MCV. A linear range from 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 7.1 × 10⁻⁵ M and a low detection limit of 14.9 nM for hydrazine are obtained at Pd(25)/MCV nanocomposite modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode. A nonenzymatic amperometric sensor for hydrogen peroxide based on the Pd(25)/MCV nanocomposite modified GC electrode is also developed. Compared with MCV modified GC electrode, the Pd(25)/MCV nanocomposite modified GC electrode displays enhanced amperometric responses towards hydrogen peroxide and gives a linear range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 6.1 × 10⁻³ M. The Pd(25)/MCV nanocomposite modified GC electrode achieves 95% of the steady-current for hydrogen peroxide within 1 s. The combination of the unique properties of Pd nanoparticles and the porous mesostructure of MCV matrix guarantees the improved analytical performance for hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide.     

One-step construction of an electrode modified with electrodeposited Au/SiO2 nanoparticles, and its application to the determination of NADH and ethanol

A new electrode was developed by one-step potentiostatic electrodeposition (at ?2.0 V for 20 s) of Au/SiO₂ nanoparticles on a glassy carbon electrode. The resulting electrode (nano-Au/SiO₂/GCE) was characterized by scanning electronic microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. The electrochemical behavior of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at the nano-Au/SiO₂/GCE were thoroughly investigated. Compared to the unmodified electrode, the overpotential decreased by about 300 mV, and the current response significantly increased. These changes indicated that the modified electrode showed excellent catalytic activity in the oxidation of NADH. A linear relationship was obtained in the NADH concentration range from 1.0?×?10^?6 to 1.0?×?10^?4 mol?L^?1. In addition, amperometric sensing of ethanol at the nano-Au/SiO₂/GCE in combination with alcohol dehydrogenase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide was successfully demonstrated. A wide linear response was also found for ethanol in the range from 5.0?×?10^?5 to 1.0?×?10^?3 mol?L^?1 and 1.0?×?10^?3 to 1.0?×?10^?2 mol?L^?1, respectively. The method was successfully applied to determine ethanol in beer and biological samples.     

Amperometric glutamate biosensor based on self-assembling glutamate dehydrogenase and dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles onto carbon nanotubes

A novel amperometric biosensor based on self-assembling glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles (Pt-PAMAM) onto multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been developed for the determination of glutamate. The formation of the self-assembled (GLDH/Pt-PAMAM)_n/CNTs construction was investigated by ζ-potential and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results indicated the uniform growth of the layer-by-layer nanostructures onto carboxyl-functionalized CNTs. The electrocatalytic property of the (GLDH/Pt-PAMAM)_n/CNTs modified electrode to glutamate in presence of NAD⁺ (β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, 0.1 mM) was investigated at a low overpotential 0.2 V by electrochemical measurements. The results showed it had series of attractive characteristics, such as a large determination range (0.2-250 μM), a short response time (within 3 s), a high sensitivity (433 μA/mM⁻¹ cm²) and good stability (85% remains after 4 weeks).     

Selective electrochemical molecular recognition of benzenediol isomers using molecularly imprinted TiO2 film electrodes

In this paper, selective recognition of benzenediol isomers was studied using molecularly imprinted TiO₂ film formed on a graphitic electrode. The imprinting process was investigated in detail using IR. The electrode process for p-hydroquinone follows a E_rC_r mechanism. The cavities formed by p-phthalic acid have good selectivity toward p-hydroquinone among the isomers. The complex ratio between p-hydroquinone and binding sites was estimated to be 1:2 with an apparent equilibrium constant of 2.98×10⁶ l² mol⁻². For o-hydroquinone and m-benzenediol, the ratio decreased to 1:1 with an apparent equilibrium constant of 1.20×10³ and 1.35×10³ l mol⁻¹. The apparent complexing ratio and equilibrium constants could shed some insight on the nature of isomeric selectivity of the recognition sites with respect to different isomers of benzenediol. The cavities designed by o-phthalic acid present good selectivity toward o-hydroquinone.     

Direct amperometric determination of tert-butylhydroquinone in biodiesel

The direct amperometric determination of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) in biodiesel at an unmodified glassy carbon electrode is reported. A biodiesel aliquot was added into an electrochemical cell containing a 75% (v/v) ethanol-water solution under stirring (with final concentration of 50 mmol L⁻¹ HClO₄). The amperometric method involved the continuous application of three sequential potential pulses to the working electrode (700 mV for 300 ms, 0 mV for 100 ms and −50 mV for 1 s). TBHQ was continuously monitored at the first (direct oxidation) and optionally at the second (reduction) potential pulse while the third potential pulse was applied for cleaning of the electrode surface. For comparison, the samples were also analyzed by high-performance liquid-chromatography and a good agreement between the results was verified. Recovery values for spiked samples were between 90% and 95% and the reproducibility of the proposed method was around 5% (n = 5). The proposed method can be easily adapted for on-site analysis.     

Amperometric detection of dopamine based on tyrosinase-SWNTs-Ppy composite electrode

A novel 3-dimensional single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)-polypyrrole (Ppy) composite was prepared as an electrode by chemically polymerizing polypyrrole onto SWNTs using a LiClO₄ oxidant. This composite electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry with 1 mM [Fe(CN)₆]⁻³/[Fe(CN)₆]⁻⁴. The SWNTs were thickly coated with chemically polymerized polypyrrole and the composite had many surface pores and crevices which could enhance mass transfer. The SWNTs-Ppy composite electrode showed a large specific surface area (30 m²/g) and a good reproducible current response, at about 100 times the peak current of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The diffusion coefficient was calculated to be 4.81 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s. As a biosensor application, tyrosinase was immobilized on the functionalized SWNTs and tyrosinase-SWNTs-Ppy composite was prepared in the same manner. This tyrosinase-SWNT-Ppy composite electrode was used for amperometric detection of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid and showed high sensitivity (467 mA/M cm²) and lower detection limit (5 μM) compared to previous reports.     

Highly sensitive determination of hydroxylamine using fused gold nanoparticles immobilized on sol-gel film modified gold electrode

We are reporting the highly sensitive determination of hydroxylamine (HA) using 2-mercapto-4-methyl-5-thiazoleacetic acid (TAA) capped fused spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified Au electrode. The fused TAA-AuNPs were immobilized on (3-mercaptopropyl)-trimethoxysilane (MPTS) sol-gel film, which was pre-assembled on Au electrode. The immobilization of fused TAA-AuNPs on MPTS sol-gel film was confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM image showed that the AuNPs retained the fused spherical morphology after immobilized on sol-gel film. The fused TAA-AuNPs on MPTS modified Au electrode were used for the determination of HA in phosphate buffer (PB) solution (pH = 7.2). When compared to bare Au electrode, the fused AuNPs modified electrode not only shifted the oxidation potential of HA towards less positive potential but also enhanced its oxidation peak current. Further, the oxidation of HA was highly stable at fused AuNPs modified electrode. Using amperometric method, determination of 17.5 nM HA was achieved for the first time. Further, the current response of HA increases linearly while increasing its concentration from 17.5 nM to 22 mM and a detection limit was found to be 0.39 nM (S/N = 3). The present modified electrode was also successfully used for the determination of 17.5 nM HA in the presence of 200-fold excess of common interferents such as urea, NO₂⁻, NH₄⁺, oxalate, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Cu²⁺. The practical application of the present modified electrode was demonstrated by measuring the concentration of HA in ground water samples.     

Preparation of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide-modified electrode and its application for determination of p-aminophenol

A simple and eco-friendly electrochemical method to reduce graphene oxide precursor was employed for fabrication of graphene sheets modified glassy carbon electrode, and then, the resulting electrode [electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO)/glassy carbon electrode (GCE)] was used to determine p-aminophenol. The experimental results demonstrated that the modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the redox of p-aminophenol as evidenced by the significant enhancement of redox peak currents and the decreased peak-to-peak separation in comparison with a bare GCE. A highly sensitive and selective voltammetry determination of p-aminophenol is developed using the ERGO/GCE. This method has been applied for the direct determination of p-aminophenol in artificial wastewater.