The Inherent Electrochemistry of Nickel/Nickel‐Oxide Nanoparticles

The direct detection of nanoparticles is at the forefront of research owing to their environmental and toxicological applications. Herein, we studied the inherent electrochemistry of Ni and NiO nanoparticles and proposed a simple and direct electrochemical method for the determination of the concentrations of both nickel (Ni) and nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles in alkaline solution. A highly sensitive voltammetry technique was used to measure the oxidative signal of Ni(OH)₂ that formed spontaneously on the surface of Ni and NiO nanoparticles in alkaline media. Detection limits of 220 μg mL^?1 for Ni and 13 μg mL^?1 for NiO nanoparticles were obtained. Ni and NiO nanoparticles are used as electrode modifiers or as electrochemical signal labels in various biosensing applications. Therefore, methods to rapidly quantify the amount of Ni and NiO nanoparticles are of widespread potential use.     

Flower‐like Ni(II)‐based Metal‐organic Framework‐decorated Ag Nanoparticles: Fabrication,Characterization and Electrochemical Detection of Glucose

Glucose concentration monitoring is important for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. In this work, a composite material of AgNPs/MOF‐74(Ni) was prepared for electrochemical determination of glucose. AgNPs/MOF‐74(Ni) was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical properties of the glassy carbon electrodes modified with the AgNPs/MOF‐74(Ni) composites were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and current‐time curve (I‐t curve) with three electrode system. The determination of glucose with the electrode modified by AgNPs/MOF‐74(Ni) has a linear range of 0.01～4 mM with the correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.994. The detection limit is 4.7 μM (S/N=3) and the sensitivity is 1.29 mA ? mM^?1 ? cm^?2. In addition, this sensing system possesses reasonable reproducibility and stability. The good performance of electrochemical determination for glucose is attributed to the concerted effect of silver nanoparticles and MOF‐74(Ni) on the promotion of glucose oxidation     

Selective Detection of Dopamine in the Presence of Uric Acid Using NiO Nanoparticles Decorated on Graphene Nanosheets Modified Screen‐printed Electrodes

A convenient, low cost, and sensitive electrochemical method, based on a disposable graphene nanosheets (GR) and NiO nanoparticles modified carbon screen printed electrode (NiO/GR/SPE), is described for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). The modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic properties toward the oxidation of DA and UA. A peak potential difference of 150 mV between DA and UA was large enough to determine DA and UA individually and simultaneously. The anodic peak currents of DA were found to be linear in the concentration range of 1.0–500.0 μM with the detection limit of 3.14×10^?7 M.     

Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor Based on Pt Doped NiO Nanoparticles/MWCNTs Nanocomposite Modified Electrode for Simultaneous Sensing of Piroxicam and Amlodipine

In this paper, a high‐sensitivity electrochemical sensor based on platinum (Pt) doped nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (Pt?NiO/MWCNTs/GCE) has been developed to determine piroxicam (PIR) and amlodipine (AML) simultaneously. The electrochemical behavior of PIR and AML at the proposed sensor has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry (CA) methods. Pt doped NiO nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol‐gel procedure and were investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. DPV responses of PIR and AML increased linearly with their concentration in wide linear dynamic ranges of 0.6–320.0 μM and 1.0–250.0 μM, respectively. The limits of detection were 0.061 μM for PIR and 0.092 μM for AML. The excellent analytical figure of merits of the proposed modified electrode leads to application of it promising electrochemical sensor to determine PIR and AML in human serum and urine with satisfactory results.     

Self‐Assembled Prussian Blue Nanoparticles Based Electrochemical Sensor for High Sensitive Determination of H2O2 in Acidic Media

In this paper, self‐assembled Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) on carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) were developed as a high sensitive hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) electrochemical sensor. The PBNPs film was prepared by a simple dipping method. The morphology of the PBNPs‐modified CCE was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The self‐assembled PB film exhibited sufficient mechanical, electrochemical stability and high sensitivity in compare with other PB based H₂O₂ sensors. The sensor showed a good linear response for H₂O₂ over the concentration range 1 μM–0.26 mM with a detection limit of ca. 0.7 μM (S/N=3), and sensitivity of 754.6 mA M^?1 cm^?2. This work demonstrates the feasibility of self‐assembled PBNPs‐modified CCE for practical sensing applications.     

MWCNTs/Ionic Liquid/Graphene Quantum Dots Nanocomposite Coated with Nickel‐Cobalt Bimetallic Catalyst as a Highly Selective Non‐enzymatic Sensor for Determination of Glucose

In this work, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes/ionic liquid/graphene quantum dots (MWCNTs/IL/GQDs) nanocomposite. Then, the nanocomposite was decorated with nickel‐cobalt nanoparticles (Ni?Co NPs), and it was used as a non‐enzymatic glucose sensor. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy were employed to prove the electrodeposition of the Ni?Co NPs on the surface of MWCNTs/IL/GQDs/GCE. Also, cyclic voltammetric and amperometric methods were utilized for the investigation of the electrochemical behaviour of the Ni?Co NPs/MWCNTs/IL/GQDs/GCE for glucose oxidation. The novel amperometric sensor displayed two linear ranges from 1.0 to 190.0 μmol L^?1 and 190.0 to 4910 μmol L^?1 with a low detection limit of 0.3 μmol L^?1 as well as fast response time (2 s) and high stability. Also, the sensor showed good selectivity for glucose determination in the presence of ascorbic acid, citric acid, dopamine, uric acid, fructose, and sucrose, as potential interference species. Finally, the performance of the proposed sensor was investigated for the glucose determination in real samples. Ni?Co NPs/MWCNTs/IL/GQDs/GCE showed good sensitivity and excellent selectivity.     

A Sensitive and Selective Nitrite Detection in Water Using Graphene/Platinum Nanocomposite

A glassy carbon electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide and platinum nanocomposite film was developed simply by electrochemical method for the sensitive and selective detection of nitrite in water. The electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) efficiently eliminates oxygen‐containing functional groups. Pt nanoparticles were electrochemically and homogeneously deposited on the ErGO surface. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), Raman spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance‐fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to examine the surface morphology and electrocatalytic properties of the Pt‐ErGO nanocomposite film‐modified electrode surface. The fabricated nitrite sensor showed good electrochemical performance with two linear ranges; one from 5 to 100 µM (R²=0.9995) and the other from 100 to 1000 µM (R²=0.9972) and a detection limit of 0.22 µM. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the detection of nitrite in tap water samples which proves performance of the Pt‐ErGO nanocomposite films.     

A Flexible Nafion Coated Enzyme‐free Glucose Sensor Based on Au‐dimpled Ti Structures

The detection of glucose at low concentrations using electrochemical sensors is of great importance due to the possibility of using different human body fluids than blood, such as e. g. urine, saliva, sweat or tears. The interest behind those biofluids is related to their utility in non‐invasive sugar determination. In this work, we present flexible, fully biocompatible electrode material based on Au nanoparticles immobilized onto titanium dimples. Au?Ti heterostructures were obtained via electrochemical anodization of titanium foil in presence of fluoride anions followed by chemical etching, magnetron sputtering of gold and subsequent thermal dewetting in continuous regime. In the last step of fabrication, electrodes were modified by permselective Nafion membrane. The selection of the best electrode material among different configurations was carried out basing on the electrochemical activity in the contact with 5 mM glucose dissolved in neutral air‐saturated 0.1 M PBS. For the 10 nm Au dewetted gold film, limit of detection of 30 μM and high sensitivity of 93 mA cm^?2 mM^?1 were achieved. Application of Nafion membrane caused complete inhibition of the impact of various interference species onto the glucose detection. Good selectivity and repeatability combined with the resistance to prolonged mechanical stress suggest that prepared material can be used in non‐invasive glucose sensing.     

Electrochemical Detection of Para‐nitrophenol using Copper Metal Nanoparticles Modified Gold Electrode

para‐Nitrophenol (p‐NP) is a high priority environmental pollutant. For the sake of safety, sensitive detection of its presence in water resources and food is highly important. The present article describes the use of copper metal nanoparticles for selective and sensitive electrochemical detection of p‐NP in pure and real sample. For this the gold electrode was fabricated by polyvenylpyrrolidone stabilized copper metal nanoparticles (ca . 4 nm d.) via self‐assembled 4,4′‐bipyridine monolayer and characterized by microscopic and electrochemical techniques. The newly developed sensor permits for sensitive detection of p‐NP in a linear concentration range of 1–500 μM with lowest detection limit of 0.34 nM and high sensitivities 247.1 μA cm⁻² μM⁻¹. The sensor electrode exhibited high stability, reproducibility, good selectivity in the presence of potential interfering agents and had an excellent capability for the selective determination of p‐NP in river water without preliminary treatments.     

Electrochemical Investigation of Glucose on a Highly Sensitive Nickel‐Copper Modified Pencil Graphite Electrode

Novel nickel‐copper modified pencil graphite electrode (Ni?Cu/PGE) was fabricated and used as non‐enzymatic sensor for glucose determination. Ni and copper were electrodeposited on PGE using cyclic voltammetry. Morphology and composition of the modified PGE electrode were characterized by field‐emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG‐SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Electrochemical oxidation of glucose was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry as well as by amperometry. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the Ni?Cu/PGE exhibits a high sensitivity of 2951 μA mM^?1 cm^?2, and a low detection limit of 0.99 μM which are, respectively, three times higher and twice lower than that on Ni/PGE prepared in the same conditions. Moreover, Ni?Cu/PGE exhibits a wider linear range from 1 to 10000 μM with a rapid response time within 2 s. Moreover, Ni?Cu/PGE showed a remarkable stability. The electrode was successfully applied for determination of glucose concentration in human blood without significant interference from potential endogenic interferents. The good applicability of the elaborated sensor made Ni?Cu/PGE promising for the development of effective and inexpensive non‐enzymatic glucose sensor.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Herbal Antitumor Drug Aloe‐Emodin at Carbon‐Coated Nickel Magnetic Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

The electrochemical behavior of aloe‐emodin (AE), an important herbal antitumor drug, was investigated at a carbon‐coated nickel magnetic nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (CNN/GCE). A couple of well‐defined redox peaks was obtained. Some electrochemical parameters of AE at a CNN/GCE, such as the charge number, exchange current density, standard heterogeneous rate constant, were measured. The square wave voltammetry (SWV) response of AE was linear with the concentration over two concentration intervals viz. 6.24×10^?9?1.13×10^?6 M and 1.13×10^?6?1.23×10^?5 M, with a detection limit of 2.08 nM. A fast, simple and sensitive detection and analysis of AE was developed.     

Microsensor Chip Integrated with Gold Nanoparticles‐Modified Ultramicroelectrode Array for Improved Electroanalytical Measurement of Copper Ions

This paper presents a microsensor chip integrated with a gold nanoparticles‐modified ultramicroelectrode array (UMEA) as the working electrode for the detection of copper ions in water. The microsensor chip was fabricated with Micro‐Electromechanical System technique. Gold nanoparticles were electrodeposited onto the surface of UMEA at a constant potential of ?0.3 V. The ratio d/R_b of interelectrode spacing (d) over the individual electrode’s radius (R_b) was investigated to improve the electrochemical performance. The UMEA with a d/R_b of 20 showed the best hemispherical diffusion mode, resulted in fast response time and high current response. The gold nanoparticles increased the active surface area of UMEA by not changing the geometries of UMEA, and the current response was increased further. Incorporating the optimized characteristic of UMEA and gold nanoparticles, the microsensor showed a good linear range from 0.5 to 200 µg L^?1 of copper ions in the acetate buffer solutions with the method of square wave stripping voltammetry. Compared with the gold nanoparticles‐modified disk electrode, the gold nanoparticles‐modified UMEA showed higher sensitivity (0.024 µA mm^?2 µg^?1 L) and lower limit of detection (0.2 µg L^?1). Water samples from river water and tap water were analyzed by the microsensor chip with recovery ranging from 100.7 % to 107.8 %.     

Electrochemical Detection of Epinephrine Based on a Screen-printed Electrode Modified with NiO−ERGO Nanocomposite Film

This study presents a new electrochemical sensor (NiO−ERGO/SPE) for sensitive and selective detection of epinephrine (EPI) on the screen-printed electrode (SPE) which is modified with a nanocomposite film consisting of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide and NiO nanoparticles. After surface functionalization, structural and electrochemical characterization of NiO−ERGO film, DPV signals of NiO−ERGO/SPE towards the oxidation of EPI exhibited a linear correlation in the concentration range of 0.025 μM to 175 μM with a detection limit of 0.015 μM, which reveals NiO−ERGO film is manifested a good electrocatalytic activity for EPI detection compared with the previous reports. The selectivity of NiO−ERGO film was also tested on a very wide scale of possible interferents (ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, lactic acid, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Zn²⁺). Moreover, to evaluate the applicability of the proposed sensor for real sample analysis, NiO−ERGO/SPE was successfully utilized for the determination of EPI in pharmaceutical samples.     

Sensitive amperometric pyridoxine sensor based on self‐assembled Prussian blue nanoparticle‐modified poly(o‐phenylenediamine)/glassy carbon electrode

Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) were prepared by a self‐assembly process on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with poly(o‐phenylenediamine) (PoPD) film. The stepwise fabrication process of PBNP‐modified PoPD/GCE was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The prepared PBNPs showed an average size of 70 nm and a homogeneous distribution on the surface of the modified electrode. The PBNPs/PoPD/GCE showed electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of pyridoxine (PN) and was used as an amperometric sensor. The modified electrode exhibited a linear response for PN oxidation over the concentration range 3–38.5 μM with a detection limit of ca 6.10 × 10^?7 M (S/N = 3) and sensitivity of 2.79936 × 10³ mA M^?1 cm^?2 using an amperometric method. The mechanism and kinetics of the catalytic oxidation reaction of PN were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The values of α, k_cat and D were estimated as 0.36, 1.089 × 10² M^?1 s^?1 and 8.9 × 10^?5 cm² s^?1, respectively. This sensor also exhibited good anti‐interference and selectivity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Glucose Electro‐oxidation on Graphite Electrode Modified with Nickel/Chromium Nanoparticles

In this study, an available and inexpensive graphite substrate, was easily modified with Ni/Cr nanoparticles via electrodeposition technique in a very short time (3 min) and used as an electrocatalyst for glucose oxidation in alkaline solution. Graphite electrode modified with Ni/Cr nanoparticles demonstrated an outstanding electrocatalytic performance to glucose oxidation in comparison to examined Ni‐based electrodes or even different materials in other reports. It is noteworthy to mention that adding a little Cr led to a synergistic effect with Ni; accordingly, the presence of Cr not only resulted in a greater adsorption of glucose molecules by chromium oxide but also boosted conductivity of the nickel oxide because of the enhancement of Ni(III) amount. The electrochemical studies were performed by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The morphology and structure of catalyst layer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). The linear range of the electrode by cyclic voltammetry was between 2–31 mM with a high sensitivity of 2094 μA cm^?2 mM^?1. The repeatability and reproducibility of the proposed electrode was examined in glucose solution which were 0.3 % and 4.7 %, respectively. According to the low cost, ease and fast preparation, good repeatability and high sensitivity, this electrode can be a good candidate for nonenzymatic glucose oxidation.     

Disposable Amperometric Biosensor Based on Poly‐L‐lysine and Fe3O4 NPs‐chitosan Composite for the Detection of Tyramine in Cheese

An amperometric tyramine biosensor based on poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄NP) modified screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was developed. PLL was formed on the SPCE by the electropolymerization of L‐lysine. Subsequently, Fe₃O₄NP suspension prepared in chitosan (CH) solution was casted onto the PLL/SPCE. Tyrosinase (Ty) enzyme was immobilized onto the modified Fe₃O₄?CH/PLL/SPCE and the electrode was coated with Nafion to fabricate the Ty/Fe₃O₄?CH/PLL/SPCE. Different techniques including scanning electron microscopy, chronoamperometry (i–t curve), cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were utilized to study the fabrication processes, electrochemical characteristics and performance parameters of the biosensor. The analytical performance of the tyramine biosensor was evaluated with respect to linear range, sensitivity, limit of detection, repeatability and reproducibility. The response of the biosensor to tyramine was linear between 4.9×10^?7–6.3×10^?5 M with a detection limit of 7.5×10^?8 M and sensitivity of 71.36 μA mM^?1 (595 μA mM^?1 cm^?2). The application of the developed biosensor for the determination of tyramine was successfully tested in cheese sample and mean analytical recovery of added tyramine in cheese extract was calculated as 101.2±2.1 %. The presented tyramine biosensor is a promising approach for tyramine analysis in real samples due to its high sensitivity, rapid response and easy fabrication.     

Eco‐friendly Sensors Developed by Herbal Based Silver Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Detection of Mercury (II) Ion

In our study, the single‐use & eco‐friendly electrochemical sensor platform based on herbal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was developed for detection of mercury (II) ion (Hg²⁺). For this purpose, the surface of pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was modified with AgNPs and folic acid (FA), respectively. The concentrations of AgNPs and FA were firstly optimized by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to obtain an effective surface modification of PGE. Each step at the surface modification process was characterized by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedence spectroscopy (EIS). The limit of detection (LOD) for Hg²⁺ was estimated and found to be 8.43 μM by CV technique. The sensor presented an excellent selectivity for Hg²⁺ against to other heavy metal ions such as Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺. Moreover, a rapid, selective and sensitive detection of Hg²⁺ was successfully performed in the samples of tap water within 1 min.     

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.     

Nickel Hydroxide and Intercalated Graphene with Ionic Liquid Nanocomposite‐modified Electrode for Sensing of Glucose

A novel non‐enzymatic glucose sensor based on nickel hydroxide and intercalated graphene with ionic liquid (G‐IL) nanocomposite modified glass carbon electrode was fabricated. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectra and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy of the nanocomposite confirmed the morphology and ingredient of Ni(OH)₂ as well as G‐IL. Moreover, experimental results of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry indicated the sensing properties of Ni(OH)₂ at Ni(OH)₂/G‐IL modified electrode towards the typical electrocatalytic oxidation process of glucose at 0.43 V in 0.10 M NaOH. The current response was linearly related to glucose concentration in a range from 0.5 to 500 μM with a detection limit of 0.2 μM (S/N = 3) and sensitivity of 647.8 μA mM^?1 cm^?2. The response time of the sensor to glucose was less than 2 s. This work may be expected to develop an excellent electrochemical sensing platform of G‐IL as a catalysis carrier.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Hydrogen Peroxide on Poly(m‐toluidine)‐Nickel Modified Carbon Paste Electrode in Alkaline Medium

The poly(m‐toluidine) film was prepared by using the repeated potential cycling technique in an acidic solution at the surface of carbon paste electrode. Then transition metal ions of Ni(II) were incorporated to the polymer by immersion of the modified electrode in a 0.2 M NiSO₄, also the electrochemical characterization of this modified electrode exhibits stable redox behavior of the Ni(III)/Ni(II) couple. The electrocatalytic ability of Ni(II)/poly(m‐toluidine)/modified carbon paste electrode (Ni/PMT/MCPE) was demonstrated by electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide with cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods in the alkaline solution. The effects of scan rate and hydrogen peroxide concentration on the anodic peak height of hydrogen peroxide oxidation were also investigated. The catalytic oxidation peak current showed two linear ranges with different slopes dependent on the hydrogen peroxide concentration and the lower detection limit was 6.5 μM (S/N=3). The catalytic reaction rate constant, (k_h), was calculated 5.5×10² M^?1 s^?1 by the data of chronoamperometry. This modified electrode has many advantages such as simple preparation procedure, good reproducibility and high catalytic activity toward the hydrogen peroxide oxidation. This method was also applied as a simple method for routine control and can be employed directly without any pretreatment or separation for analysis cosmetics products.