Microliter Volume Determination of Cosmetic Mercury with a Partially Crosslinked Poly(4‐vinylpyridine) Modified Screen‐Printed Three‐Electrode Portable Assembly

We successfully demonstrated microliter (μL) volume determination of Mercury (Hg) using an in‐built screen‐printed three electrodes containing partially crosslinked poly(4‐vinlylpyridine) (designated as pcPVP) modified carbon‐working, carbon‐counter, and Ag⁺‐quasireference electrodes (SPE/pcPVP) in a pH 4 acetate buffer solution with 2 M KCl by using the square wave anodic stripping voltammetric (SWASV) technique. Instrumental and solution phase conditions were systematically optimized. Experiments were carried out by simply placing a 500 μL‐droplet of Hg containing real sample mixed with the base electrolyte on the SPE/pcPVP surface. The SPE/Ag⁺ quasi‐reference system shifted the Hg‐SWASV detection potential ca. 250 mV positive, but the quantitative current values were appreciably similar to that of a standard Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Under optimal condition, the calibration graph is linear in the window of 100–1000 ppb of the Hg droplet system with a detection limit of 69.5 ppb (S/N=3). Finally real sample assays were demonstrated for prohibited cosmetic Hg containing skin‐lightening agents in parallel with ICP‐OES measurements.     

Electrocatalytic Reduction and Determination of Dissolved Oxygen at a Preanodized Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode Modified with Palladium Nanoparticles

Efficient and stable electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of O₂ at activated screen‐printed carbon electrodes modified with palladium nanoparticles (SPE*‐Pd) was demonstrated in this study. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of >C?O functional group on electrode surface during the preanodization procedure at 2.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The existence of chloride moieties was also identified possibly from the organic binder of carbon ink used in SPE fabrication. Both >C?O and chloride functional groups were essential for the excellent stability of the SPE*‐Pd. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy verified the enhanced kinetic rate of oxygen reduction reaction at the as‐prepared Pd nanoparticles. The SPE*‐Pd showed ca. 250 mV positive shift in peak potential together with twice increase in peak current compared to those observed at a SPE‐Pt. The calibration plot was linear up to 8 ppm of DO with sensitivity and regression coefficient of 4.49 μA/ppm and 0.9936, respectively. The variation coefficient of i_pc for 7 DO determinations with O₂‐saturated pH 7.4 PBS was 2.1%. Real sample assays for ground and tap waters gave consistent values to those measured by a commercial dissolved oxygen meter.     

CuAg nanoparticles formed in situ on electrochemically pre‐anodized screen‐printed carbon electrodes for the detection of nitrate and nitrite anions

CuAg nanoparticles (CuAgNPs) were electrochemically formed in situ on pre‐anodized, screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) that possessed many oxygen‐containing functional groups capable of adsorbing metal ions, namely Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺. Pre‐anodization was achieved using continuous cyclic voltammetry in the range of potential 0.3–2.0 V under a scan rate of 50 mV/s. Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺ ions were adsorbed on the pre‐anodized SPCE by immersing the electrode in solutions containing both metal ions, and then CuAgNPs were formed in situ via electrochemical reduction in a deaerated, neat NaClO₄ solution after the electrode was ultrasonicated to remove physically adsorbed metal ions. Although CuNPs showed higher activity than AgNPs toward both nitrate (NO₃⁻) and nitrite (NO₂⁻) ions, the instability of CuNPs hindered the application, so CuAgNPs were employed to achieve a compromise between sensitivity and stability. The SPCE/anodized/CuAgNP electrodes showed activity toward the electrochemical reduction of NO₃⁻ and NO₂⁻, respectively, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 15.6 μM (0.97 ppm) and 11.1 μM (0.51 ppm), which is sufficient to fit the allowed values (50 and 3 ppm, respectively) in drinking water as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO).     

Determination of maximum loading capacity of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers and evaluation of Cu55 dendrimer‐encapsulated nanoparticles for catalytic activity

Spectrophotometric titrations provide information about the interior of the polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers, and therefore how nanoparticles are encapsulated. In this work, binding studies were performed to determine maximum loading capacities (N) of hydroxyl terminated G4, G5, and G6 PAMAM dendrimers with Cu²⁺ ions. The values of N found via spectrophotometric titrations were 16.22, 31.86, and 57.36 for G4‐OH, G5‐OH, and G6‐OH, respectively. The determination of loading capacity was also done using Viva spin filtration, and the results were found to be in agreement with those found via spectrophotometric titrations. From the binding isotherm, the values of equilibrium constant (K′) were determined and found to be 0.0488 (G4‐OH), 0.0291 (G5‐OH), and 0.0158 (G6‐OH). Owing to instability of G4‐OH (Cu₁₆), G5‐OH (Cu₃₂), and G6‐OH (Cu₅₇) dendrimer‐encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) synthesized, G6‐OH (Cu₅₅) DENs of average size 2.6 ± 0.3 nm were prepared and were found to be relatively stable. Thus G6‐OH (Cu₅₅) catalyst was evaluated for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and was found to be catalytically active toward reduction of 4‐nitrophenol. Reaction kinetics of 4NP reduction was thoroughly studied in light of the Langmuir‐Hinshelwood kinetic model, and surface rate k, and the adsorption rates K_4NP, and K_BH4 were determined. The reaction was performed at different temperatures, which further expanded the study into determination of thermodynamic (ΔH^‡, ΔS^‡, ΔG^‡, and E_A) parameters.     

Determination of Glucose by Affinity Adsorption Solid Substrate‐room Temperature Phosphorimetry Based on Triticum Vulgare Lectin Labeled with Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticle Containing Fluorescein Isothiocyanate

In the presence of heavy atom perturber Pb2＋, silicon dioxide nanoparticle containing fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-SiO2) could emit a strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal on the surface of acetyl cellulose membrane (ACM). It was found in the research that a quantitative specific affinity adsorption (AA) reaction between triticum vulgare lectin (WGA) labeled with luminescent nanoparticle and glucose (G) could be carried on the surface of ACM. The product (WGA-G-WGA-FITC-SiO2) of the reaction could emit a stronger RTP signal, and the ΔIp had linear correlation to the content of G. According to the facts above, a new method to determine G by affinity adsorption solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (AA-SS-RTP) was established, based on WGA labeled with FITC-SiO2. The detection limit (LD) of this method calculated by 3Sb/k was 0.47 pg•spot－1 (corresponding to a concentration value 1.2×10－9 g•mL－1, namely 5.3×10－9 mol•L－1), the sensitivity was high. Meanwhile, the mechanism for the determination of G by AA-SS-RTP was discussed.     

An LC–MS/MS method for quantitation of cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside in rat plasma: Application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study in normal and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats

A sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed to determine cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside (Cy‐3G) in normal and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ (50 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column and mass spectrometric analysis was performed using a Thermo Finnigan TSQ Quantum Ultra triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled with an ESI source in the negative ion mode. Selected reaction monitoring mode was applied for quantification using target fragment ions m/z 447.3 → 285.2 for Cy‐3G and m/z 463.0 → 300.1 for quercetin‐3‐O‐glucoside (internal standard). The calibration curve was linear over the range 3.00–2700 ng/mL (r² ≥ 0.99) with the lower limit of quantitation at 3.00 ng/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision was <14.5% and mean accuracy was from −11.5 to 13.6%. Stability testing showed that Cy‐3G remained stable during the whole analytical procedure. After validation, the assay was successfully used to support a preclinical pharmacokinetic comparison of Cy‐3G between normal and diabetic rats. Results indicated that diabetes mellitus significantly altered the in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics of Cy‐3G after oral administration in rats.     

Self‐Assembling of Hybrid Prussian Blue Units in Cinder Matrix: Characterization and Electrocatalysis

Industrial waste cinder (CFe*) has been utilized as a stable anchoring matrix for self‐assembling of Fe(CN)₆^3? as hybrid Prussian blue units (PB, *Fe³⁺Fe^II(CN)₆) on a screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPE) for efficient catalytic applications. The waste cinder was found to be a composite of calcium and iron silicates similar to glass matrix by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) study. The hybrid PB formations were confirmed by both FT‐IR and electrochemical methods. Most importantly, the free iron (Fe*) ion bound to the non‐bridging oxygen terminals of the silicates was found to play a key role in the PB formation. The self‐assembled PB hybrid on the cinder‐modified screen‐printed electrodes (designated as PBCFe*‐SPE) improved linear detection range and sensitivity for H₂O₂ mediated oxidation than those obtained at a classical PB‐SPE in 0.1 M, pH 2 KCl/HCl base electrolyte at 0.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) by amperometric batch analysis.     

Stripping Analysis of As(III) by Means of Screen‐Printed Electrodes Modified with Gold Nanoparticles and Carbon Black Nanocomposite

A novel sensor based on carbon black‐gold nanoparticle nanocomposite modified screen‐printed electrode (CB‐AuNPs/SPE) for the detection of As(III) has been developed. The sensor was prepared modifying the SPE with CB and AuNPs by a drop casting automatable deposition. The As(III) was detected by CB‐AuNPs/SPE using anodic stripping voltammetry, with a high sensitivity (673±6 µA µM^?1 cm^?2) and reaching a LOD of 0.4 ppb. Finally, CB‐AuNPs/SPE has been applied to As(III) trace analysis in drinking water, obtaining satisfactory recovery values (99±9 %).     

Hexakis(prop‐2‐enamide)copper(II) bis(perchlorate) and hexakis(prop‐2‐enamide)manganese(II) bis(perchlorate)

The structures of [Cu(AA)₆](ClO₄)₂, (I), and [Mn(AA)₆](ClO₄)₂, (II) (AA is acrylamide, also known as prop‐2‐enamide; C₃H₅NO), display both intra‐ and intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonding. A three‐dimensional network is propagated via the perchlorate counter‐ions. There are two crystallographically independent molecules in the copper complex, with the most significant difference between them being the conformation of one symmetry‐related pair of AA ligands which are in the unusual syn conformation. The copper complex exhibits syn/anti disorder of the =CH₂ group in one pair of symmetry‐related AA ligands. The Cu^II and Mn^II centres are both situated on centres of inversion. The copper complex cation has octahedral coordination geometry with typical Jahn–Teller distortions.     

A Water Stable CdII‐based Metal‐Organic Framework as a Multifunctional Sensor for Selective Detection of Cu2+ and Cr2O72– Ions

A water stable tetrazolate‐containing metal‐organic framework, [Cd₂(L)(OH)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 1 ) [H₃L = 5‐(4‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)phenyl)isophthalic acid], was synthesized under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized. Compound 1 displays a three dimensional porous network with one dimensional tubular channels based on trinuclear cluster [Cd₃(μ₃‐OH)N₄C] units. Notably, 1 exhibits highly sensitive response to Cu²⁺ and Cr₂O₇^2– through luminescence quenching effects with the detection limit of 0.666 ppm for Cu²⁺ and 0.846 ppm for Cr₂O₇^2–, respectively. The possible mechanism of the luminescence quenching was discussed in detail.     

In Situ Generation of ArCu from CuF2 Makes Coupling of Bulky Aryl Silanes Feasible and Highly Efficient

A bimetallic system of Pd/CuF₂, catalytic in Pd and stoichiometric in Cu, is very efficient and selective for the coupling of fairly hindered aryl silanes with aryl, anisyl, phenylaldehyde, p‐cyanophenyl, p‐nitrophenyl, or pyridyl iodides of conventional size. The reaction involves the activation of the silane by Cu^II, followed by disproportionation and transmetalation from the Cu^I(aryl) to Pd^II, upon which coupling takes place. Cu^III formed during disproportionation is reduced to Cu^I(aryl) by excess aryl silane, so that the CuF₂ system is fully converted into Cu^I(aryl) and used in the coupling. Moreover, no extra source of fluoride is needed. Interesting size selectivity towards coupling is found in competitive reactions of hindered aryl silanes. Easily accessible [PdCl₂(IDM)(AsPh₃)] (IDM = 1,3‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) is by far the best catalyst, and the isolated products are essentially free from As or Pd (<1 ppm). The mechanistic aspects of the process have been experimentally examined and discussed.     

Rattling in the Quadruple Perovskite CuCu3V4O12

Of particular interest is a peculiar motion of guest atoms or ions confined to nanospace in cage compounds, called rattling. While rattling provides unexplored physical properties through the guest–host interactions, it has only been observed in a very limited class of materials. Herein, we introduce an A‐site‐ordered quadruple perovskite, CuCu₃V₄O₁₂, as a new family of cage compounds. This novel AA′₃B₄O₁₂‐type perovskite has been obtained by a high‐pressure synthesis technique and structurally characterized to have cubic Im$\bar 3$ symmetry with an ionic model of Cu²⁺Cu²⁺₃V⁴⁺₄O₁₂. The thermal displacement parameter of the A‐site Cu²⁺ ion is as large as U_iso≈0.045 Ų at 300 K, indicating its large‐amplitude thermal oscillations in the oversized icosahedral cages. Remarkably, the presence of localized phonon modes associated with rattling of the A‐site Cu²⁺ ion manifests itself in the low‐temperature specific heat data. This work sheds new light on the structure–property relations in perovskites.     

Screen Printed Carbon Electrode Modified with Poly(L‐Lactide) Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles for Sensitive As(III) Detection

Poly(L ‐lactide) stabilized gold nanoparticles (designated as PLA–Au^NP) with an average particle size of ca. 10 nm were used to modify a disposable screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPE) for the detection of As(III) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Gold modification was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, whereas scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the size and distribution of gold nanoparticles. The PLA–Au^NP/SPE was applied effectively to detect toxic As(III) in HCl medium. Under the optimal experimental conditions, a linear calibration curve up to 4 ppm with a detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.09 ppb was obtained. The sensitivity was good enough to detect As(III) at levels lower than the current EPA standard (10 ppb). Most importantly, the PLA–Au^NP/SPE can be tolerable from the interference of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Ni and hence provides a direct and selective detection method for As(III) in natural waters. Practical utility of the PLA–Au^NP/SPE was demonstrated to detect As(III) in “Blackfoot” disease endemic village groundwater from southwestern coast area of Taiwan (Pei‐Men).     

X‐ray structure and density functional theory studies of an unexpected product: trans‐bis{2‐[(2‐cyanoethyl)iminomethyl]phenolato}copper(II)

The title compound, [Cu(C₁₀H₉N₂O)₂] or [Cu^II(CYMB)₂], (I), was obtained in an attempt to reduce trans‐bis(2‐{[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]iminomethyl}phenolato)copper(II), [Cu(TIMB)₂], (II), with bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)cobalt(II) [decamethylcobaltocene, Cp*₂Co, (III)]. The molecular structure of (I) has the Cu^II centre located on an inversion centre of the C2/c space group. A density functional theory (DFT) analysis at the B3LYP/Lanl2dz(CuF);6‐31G**(CHNO) level performed in order to optimize the structures of the free ligands CYMB⁻ and TIMB⁻, and the metal complexes [Cu^I/II(CYMB)₂]^−/0 and [Cu^I/II(TIMB)₂]^−/0, reproduced well the X‐ray diffraction structure and allowed us to infer the insertion of the cyanomethide anion on the 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl system from an evaluation of the Mulliken atomic charges and the electronic energies.     

Tubular bimetal oxysulfide CuMgOS catalyst for rapid reduction of heavy metals and organic dyes

Tubular bimetal oxysulfide CuMgOS catalyst was prepared using a feasible method at a low process temperature of 95°C. X‐ray diffractometry, X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence emission spectrum, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms were used for CuMgOS characterizations. The CuMgOS reduction activities were investigated through the reduction of heavy metals of Cr (VI), Pb (II) and Hg (II) solutions, and the organic dyes of rhodamine‐B (RhB), methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) solutions under dark. The results showed that the CuMgOS prepared with an appropriate N₂H₄ amount for a suitable Cu (I)/Cu (II) ratio exhibited fast reduction activity without adding any reagents, with which the 100 mL Cr (VI), Pb (II) and Hg (II) solutions of 50 ppm were 100% reduced by 20 mg CuMgOS within 4 min, 6 min and 4 min, respectively. The 100 mL RhB, MO and MB solutions of 50 ppm were 100% reduced by 10 mg CuMgOS within 4 min, 5 min and 1 min, respectively, under the existence of NaBH₄. CuMgOS displayed excellent chemical stability for the re‐use tests on heavy metal ions and organic dyes. The excellent performance is attributed to CuMgOS bimetal oxysulfide catalyst with active surface reaction centers to interact with reactants, and the carrier hopping between Cu (I) and Cu (II).     

Use of Screen‐printed Electrodes Modified by Prussian Blue and Analogues in Sensing of Cysteine

The utilisation of screen‐printing technology allows for a mass scalable approach for the production of electrochemical screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) and the presence of a redox mediator can add new possibilities to the electrochemical properties of the SPEs. Among the materials used as redox mediators, cyanidoferrates polymers can be used for electro‐oxidation of cysteine. In this work, two monomers, namely, [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ and [Fe(CN)₅NH₃]³⁻ were used to produce Prussian blue (PB) and Prussian blue‐Ammine (PB‐Ammine), respectively. In addition, two modification methods were compared, firstly via a drop‐casting and secondly by the incorporation of these materials into a printable ink. The SPE modified by PB‐Ammine (drop‐casting) exhibits the highest electroactive area, however the highest heterogeneous rate constant was found with the SPE modified by PB‐Ammine that was incorporated into the ink. The highest value of the constant of electro‐oxidation of cysteine and lowest limit of detection was also observed in the SPE modified by PB incorporated into the ink. These studies suggest that the electrocatalytic properties of SPE modified by PB and PB‐Ammine are dependent upon the availability of Fe³⁺ catalytic sites and the increased kinetics of the chemical reaction between the catalytic sites and the analyte.     

Die Kristallstrukturen von [Cu2Cl2(AA · H+)2](NO3)2 und [AA · H+]Pikr− (AA · H+ = Allylammonium; Pikr− = Pikrat)

The Crystal Structures of [Cu₂Cl₂(AA · H⁺)₂](NO₃)₂ and [AA · H⁺]Picr^? (AA · H⁺ = Allylammonium; Picr^? = Picrat) By an alternating current electro synthesis the crystal-line π-complex [Cu₂Cl₂(AA · H⁺)₂](NO₃)₂ has been obtained from CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, allylamine (AA), and HNO₃ in ethanolic solution. X-ray structure analysis revealed that the compound crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/a, a = 7.229(3), b = 7.824(3), c = 26.098(6) Å, γ = 94.46(5)°, Z = 4, R = 0.025 for 2 023 reflections. The crystal structure is built up of Cu_nCl_n chains which are connected by π-bonding bidentate AA · H⁺ …? ON(O)O …? H⁺ · AA units. For comparision with the above complex the structure of [AA · H⁺]Picr^? (Picr^? = picrate anion) is also reported.     

Nickel Hydroxide Nanoparticles on Screen‐printed Electrodes as an Impedimetric Non‐enzymatic Glucose Sensor

In this study, the electrodeposition of nickel hydroxide nanoparticles onto a screen‐printed electrode (Ni(OH)₂/SPE) is described. Ni(OH)₂/SPE is proposed as an alternative non‐enzymatic glucose sensor based on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements.The SPEs were modified by the cathodic electrodeposition of nickel, from a solution containing 0.010 M Ni(NO₃)₂ and 1 M NH₄Cl, at −1.3 V for 60 seconds. The SEM images show a uniform distribution of nickel spherical nanoparticles, with 60 nm average particle size. However, such morphology is not observed when the electrodeposition occurs in the absence of NH₄Cl. The electrochemical properties of the sensor were carefully evaluated by Cyclic Voltammetry. Ni(OH)₂/SPE shows a remarkable electrocatalytic behavior towards the oxidation of glucose in 0.1 M KOH. EIS measurements were carried out for Ni(OH)₂/SPE and a single‐frequency impedance method is proposed as transduction principle for glucose determination. The analysis of each parameter of complex impedance was performed. The best linear response was obtained for the module of impedance (|Z|) in the range of 0–2 mM of glucose at 0.1 Hz (R²=0.992) with a slope of 0.137 KΩ⁻¹⋅mM⁻¹ of glucose. Finally, Ni(OH)₂/SPE was utilized for quantification of glucose in blood samples.     

Vitamin C: an experimental and theoretical study on the gas‐phase structure and ion energetics of protonated ascorbic acid

In order to investigate the gas‐phase mechanisms of the acid catalyzed degradation of ascorbic acid (AA) to furan, we undertook a mass spectrometric (ESI/TQ/MS) and theoretical investigation at the B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d,p) level of theory. The gaseous reactant species, the protonated AA, [C₆H₈O₆]H⁺, were generated by electrospray ionization of a 10^?3 M H₂O/CH₃OH (1 : 1) AA solution. In order to structurally characterize the gaseous [C₆H₈O₆]H⁺ ionic reactants, we estimated the proton affinity and the gas‐phase basicity of AA by the extended Cooks's kinetic method and by computational methods at the B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d,p) level of theory. As expected, computational results identify the carbonyl oxygen atom (O2) of AA as the preferred protonation site. From the experimental proton affinity of 875.0 ± 12 kJ mol^?1 and protonation entropy ΔS_p 108.9 ± 2 J mol^?1 K^?1, a gas‐phase basicity value of AA of 842.5 ± 12 kJ mol^?1 at 298 K was obtained, which is in agreement with the value issuing from quantum mechanical computations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reduced Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotube/Gold Nanoparticles Nanocomposite Functionalized Screen‐Printed Electrode for Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A

We fabricated a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution by using reduced graphene oxide (RGO), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)‐modified screen‐printed electrode (SPE). GO/CNT nanocomposite was directly reduced to RGO/CNT on SPE at room temperature. AuNPs were then electrochemically deposited in situ on RGO/CNT‐modified SPE. Under optimized conditions, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) produced linear current responses for BPA concentrations of 1.45 to 20 and 20 to 1,490 nM, with a calculated detection limit of an ultralow 800 pM. The sensor response was unaffected by the presence of interferents such as phenol, p‐nitrophenol, pyrocatechol, 2,4‐dinitrophenol, and hydroquinone.