Avidin and Glucose Oxidase‐non‐covalently Functionalized Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes: A New Analytical Tool for Building a Bienzymatic Glucose Biosensor

We report an innovative supramolecular architecture for bienzymatic glucose biosensing based on the non‐covalently functionalization of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with two proteins, glucose oxidase (GOx) (to recognize glucose) and avidin (to allow the specific anchoring of biotinylated horseradish peroxidase (b‐HRP)). The optimum functionalization was obtained by sonicating for 10 min 0.50 mg mL^?1 MWCNTs in a solution of 2.00 mg mL^?1 GOx+1.00 mg mL^?1avidin prepared in 50 : 50 v/v ethanol/water. The sensitivity to glucose for glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) modified with MWCNTs‐GOx‐avidin dispersion and b‐HRP (GCE/MWCNTs‐GOx‐avidin/b‐HRP), obtained from amperometric experiments performed at ?0.100 V in the presence of 5.0×10^?4 M hydroquinone, was (4.8±0.3) μA mM^?1 (r²=0.9986) and the detection limit was 1.2 μM. The reproducibility for 5 electrodes using the same MWCNTs/GOx‐avidin dispersion was 4.0 %, while the reproducibility for 3 different dispersions and 9 electrodes was 6.0 %. The GCE/MWCNT‐GOx‐avidin/b‐HRP was successfully used for the quantification of glucose in a pharmaceutical product and milk.     

Effect of Enzyme and Cofactor Immobilization on the Response of Ethanol Oxidation in Zirconium Phosphate Modified Biosensors

Two different self‐contained ethanol amperometric biosensors incorporating layered [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺‐intercalated zirconium phosphate (ZrP) as the mediator as well as yeast‐alcohol dehydrogenase (y‐ADH) and its cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) were constructed to improve upon a design previously reported where only this mediator was immobilized in the surface of a modified electrode. In the first biosensor, a [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺‐intercalated ZrP modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) was improved by immobilizing in its surface both y‐ADH and NAD⁺ using quaternized Nafion membrane. In the second biosensor, a glassy carbon electrode was modified with [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺‐intercalated ZrP, y‐ADH, and NAD⁺ using Nafion as the holding matrix. Calibration plots for ethanol sensing were constructed in the presence and absence of ZrP. In the absence of ZrP in the surface of the modified glassy carbon electrode, leaching of ADH was observed as detected by UV‐vis spectrophotometry. Ethanol sensing was also tested in the presence and absence of ascorbate to measure the selectivity of the sensor for ethanol. These two ethanol biosensors were compared to a previously reported one where the y‐ADH and the NAD⁺ were in solution, not immobilized.     

Amperometric Ethanol Biosensors Based on Chitosan‐NAD+‐Alcohol Dehydrogenase Films

The reagentless and oxygen‐independent biosensors for ethanol were developed based on the covalent immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and its cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) on chitosan (CHIT) chains. The CHIT‐NAD⁺‐ADH structures were adsorbed onto carbon nanotubes (CNT) in order to provide a signal transduction based on the recycling of redox states of NAD cofactor at CNT (detection limit, 8–30 µM ethanol; dynamic range up to 20 mM). The CHIT‐NAD⁺‐dehydrogenase/CNT hybrid material represents a general approach to the development of dehydrogenases‐based electrochemical biosensors. Interestingly, the CHIT‐NAD⁺ solutions preserved their enzymatic activity even after five years of storage at 4 °C.     

Amperometric sensor for nitrite using a glassy carbon electrode modified with thionine functionalized MWCNTs/Au nanorods/SDS nanohybrids

A sensitive nitrite (NO₂^‐) biosensor was fabricated by using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Au nanorods, and thionine functionalized MWCNTs (TH‐f‐MWCNTs) nanohybrids modified glassy carbon electrode. TH was covalently immobilized on the MWCNTs via a carbodiimide reaction. Comparing with MWCNTs/GCE, TH‐f‐MWCNTs/GCE displays higher catalytic activity toward the oxidation of NO₂^‐, since TH not only promoted the electronic transmission but also could improve the concentration of NO₂^‐ at the surface of the modified electrode in acidic solutions. The Au nanorods (AuNRs) were prepared through a simple wet chemical method and were characterized by TEM. The extremely high surface‐to‐volume ratios associated with one dimension nanostructures make their electrical properties extremely sensitive to species adsorbed on surfaces and result in excellent sensitivity and selectivity. SDS displays excellent film forming ability, which made the electrode stable. Under optimal conditions, the linear range for the detection of nitrite was 0.26 to 51 μM, and the low detection limit was 20 nM. In addition, the modified electrode was successfully applied to determine nitrite in real water samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Ethanol Biosensor Based on Simple Immobilization of Alcohol Dehydrogenase on Fe3O4@Au Nanoparticles

An ethanol biosensor based on alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) attached to Au seeds decorated on magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@Au NPs) is presented. ADH was immobilized on Fe₃O₄@Au NPs, which were subsequently fixed by a magnet on a carbon paste electrode modified with 5 % (m : m) MnO₂. Optimum conditions for the amperometric determination of ethanol with the biosensor were as follows: working potential +0.1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl); supporting electrolyte: 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.8 containing 0.25 mM of the coenzyme (NAD⁺); working electrode: carbon paste with magnetically attached Fe₃O₄@Au NPs (0.012 mg ? cm^?2 electrode area) with immobilized alcohol dehydrogenase (120 units per cm² of electrode area). Linearity between signal and concentration was found for the range from 0.1 to 2.0 M ethanol (r²=0.995) with a detection limit of 0.07 M, a sensitivity of 0.02 µA ? mM^?1 ? cm^?2, a reproducibility of 4.0 % RSD, and a repeatability of 2.7 % RSD. The results for the determination of ethanol in alcoholic beverages showed good agreement with gas chromatography (GC) with recovery of 96.0 – 108.8 %.     

Employing Label‐free Electrochemical Biosensor Based on 3D‐Reduced Graphene Oxide and Polyaniline Nanofibers for Ultrasensitive Detection of Breast Cancer BRCA1 Biomarker

A label‐free DNA biosensor based on three‐dimensional reduced graphene oxide (3D‐rGO) and polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was successfully developed for supersensitive detection of breast cancer BRCA1. The results demonstrated that 3D‐rGO and PANI nanofibers had synergic effects for reducing the charge transfer resistance (R_ct), meaning a huge enhancement in electrochemical activity of 3D‐rGO‐PANI/GCE. Probe DNA could be immobilized on 3D‐rGO‐PANI/GCE for special and sensitive recognition of target DNA (1.0×10^?15–1.0×10^?7 M) with a theoretical LOD of 3.01×10^?16 M (3S/m). Furthermore, this proposed nano‐biosensor could directly detect BRCA1 in real blood samples.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glucose by the Glucose Oxidase Immobilized in Graphene‐Au‐Nafion Biocomposite

Graphene was successfully prepared and well separated to individual sheets by introducing  SO₃⁻. XRD and TEM were employed to characterize the graphene. UV‐visible absorption spectra indicated that glucose oxidase (GOx) could keep bioactivity well in the graphene‐Au biocomposite. To construct a novel glucose biosensor, graphene, Au and GOx were co‐immobilized in Nafion to further modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Electrochemical measurements were carried out to investigate the catalytic performance of the proposed biosensor. Cyclic voltammograms (CV) showed the biosensor had a typical catalytic oxidation response to glucose. At the applied potential +0.4 V, the biosensor responded rapidly upon the addition of glucose and reached the steady state current in 5 s, with the present of hydroquinone. The linear range is from 15 μM to 5.8 mM, with a detection limit 5 μM (based on the S/N=3). The Michaelis‐Menten constant was calculated to be 4.4 mM according to Lineweaver–Burk equation. In addition, the biosensor exhibits good reproducibility and long‐term stability. Such impressive properties could be ascribed to the synergistic effect of graphene‐Au integration and good biocompatibility of the hybrid material.     

Electrochemical DNA Biosensors Based on Palladium Nanoparticles Combined with Carbon Nanotubes

Palladium nanoparticles, in combination with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), were used to fabricate a sensitivity‐enhanced electrochemical DNA biosensor. MWCNTs and palladium nanoparticles were dispersed in Nafion, which were used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Oligonucleotides with amino groups at the 5′ end were covalently linked onto carboxylic groups of MWCNTs on the electrode. The hybridization events were monitored by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurement using methylene blue (MB) as an indicator. Due to the ability of carbon nanotubes to promote electron‐transfer and the high catalytic activities of palladium nanoparticles for electrochemical reaction of MB, the sensitivity of presented electrochemical DNA biosensors was remarkably improved. The detection limit of the method for target DNA was 1.2×10^?13 M.     

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.     

Minimally‐invasive Microneedle‐based Biosensor Array for Simultaneous Lactate and Glucose Monitoring in Artificial Interstitial Fluid

Here we report the first mediated pain free microneedle‐based biosensor array for the continuous and simultaneous monitoring of lactate and glucose in artificial interstitial fluid (ISF). The gold surface of the microneedles has been modified by electrodeposition of Au‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and successively by electropolymerization of the redox mediator, methylene blue (MB). Functionalization of the Au‐MWCNTs/polyMB platform with the lactate oxidase (LOX) enzyme (working electrode 1) and with the FAD‐Glucose dehydrogenase (FADGDH) enzyme (working electrode 2) enabled the continuous monitoring of lactate and glucose in the artificial ISF. The lactate biosensor exhibited a high sensitivity (797.4±38.1 μA cm^?2 mM^?1), a good linear range (10–100 μM) with a detection limit of 3 μM. The performance of the glucose biosensor were also good with a sensitivity of 405.2±24.1 μA cm^?2 mM^?1, a linear range between 0.05 and 5 mM and a detection limit of 7 μM. The biosensor array was tested to detect the amount of lactate generated after 100 minutes of cycling exercise (12 mM) and of glucose after a normal meal for a healthy patient (10 mM). The results reveal that the new microneedles‐based biosensor array seems to be a promising tool for the development of real‐time wearable devices with a variety of sport medicine and clinical care applications.     

Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Carbon Nanotubes/β‐Ni(OH)2 Nanocomposites

Ni(OH)₂ nanoflowers were synthesized by a simple and energy‐efficient wet chemistry method. The product was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD). Then Ni(OH)₂ nanoflowers attached multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) were proposed (MWCNTs/Ni(OH)₂/GCE) to use as electrochemical sensor to detect hydrogen peroxide. The results showed that the synergistic effect was obtained on the MWCNTs/Ni(OH)₂/GCE whose sensitivity was better than that of Ni(OH)₂/GCE. The linear range is from 0.2 to 22 mmol/L, the detection limit is 0.066 mmol/L, and the response time is <5 s. Satisfyingly, the MWCNTs/Ni(OH)₂/GCE was not only successfully employed to eliminate the interferences from uric acid (UA), acid ascorbic (AA), dopamine (DA), glucose (GO) but also NO₂^? during the detection. The MWCNTs/Ni(OH)₂/GCE allows highly sensitive, excellently selective and fast amperometric sensing of hydrogen peroxide and thus is promising for the future development of hydrogen peroxide sensors.     

Fabrication of Tyrosinase Biosensor Based on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes‐Chitosan Composite and Its Application to Rapid Determination of Coliforms

A tyrosinase (Tyr) biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing Tyr on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)‐chitosan (Chit) composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The MWNTs‐Chit composite film provided a biocompatible platform for the Tyr to retain the bioactivity and the MWNTs possessed excellent inherent conductivity to enhance the electron transfer rate. The Tyr/MWNTs‐Chit/GCE biosensor showed high sensitivity (412 mA/M), broad linear response (1.0×10^?8–2.8×10^?5 M), low detection limit (5.0 nM) and good stability (remained 93% after 10 days) for determination of phenol. The biosensor was further applied to rapid detection of the coliforms, represented by Escherichia coli (E. coli) in this work. The current responses were proportional to the quantity of coliforms in the range of 10⁴–10⁶ cfu/mL. After 5.0 h of incubation, E. coli could be detected as low as 10 cfu/mL.     

Simultaneous Electrochemical Detection of Co(II) and Cu(II) by 1‐Diazo‐2‐Naphthol‐4‐Sulfonic Acid/MWCNTs Modified Electrode

This work describes a simple preparation of 1‐diazo‐2‐naphthol‐4‐sulfonic acid (1,2,4‐acid) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the simultaneous detection of Co(II) and Cu(II). MWCNTs, with their good conductivity and large surface area, were drop‐casted onto the surface of the GCE prior to the electrodeposition of 1,2,4‐acid, a metal chelating agent. Co(II) and Cu(II) were simultaneously measured by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) in a batch system. Under optimum conditions, the linear range of Co(II) was between 0.10 and 2.5 μg mL⁻¹ with an LOD of 80 ng mL⁻¹. Two linear ranges were obtained for Cu(II), 0.0050 to 0.030 μg mL⁻¹ and 0.040 to 0.25 μg mL⁻¹,with an LOD of 2.4 ng mL⁻¹. The method offered a high operational stability for up to 52 measurements (RSD=3.4 % for Co(II) and 2.6 % for Cu(II)) and good reproducibility (RSD=1.2 % for Co(II) and 1.7 % for Cu(II)). In the simultaneous detection of Co(II) and Cu(II), there was no effect from common interferences found in wastewater. The method was successfully applied in real water samples with good recoveries (88.2±0.8 to 102.0±0.8 % for Co(II) and 96.5±0.4 to 103.8±0.9 % for Cu(II)) and the results were in good agreement with those obtained from inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) (P >0.05).     

Amperometric Ethanol Biosensor Based on Integration of Alcohol Dehydrogenase with Meldola's Blue/Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Electrode

An amperometric ethanol biosensor was fabricated by integration of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) with meldola's blue (MB)/ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) composite modified glassy carbon electrode (MB/OMC/GCE). The MB/OMC/GCE was highly sensitive for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) measurement (9.1±0.25 μA/mM) and gave a low detection limit of 0.21±0.02 μM. The ethanol biosensor exhibited a wide linear range up to 6 mM with a lower detection limit of 19.1±0.58 μM as well as a high sensitivity of 34.58±2.43 nA/mM without suffering any interference from some common electroactive compounds.     

Amperometric Ethanol Biosensor Based on Carbon Nanotubes Dispersed in Sol–Gel‐Derived Titania–Nafion Composite Film

Composite solution of sol–gel‐derived titania and perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion) was used as a solubilizing agent for multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) as well as an encapsulation matrix for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) for the fabrication of a highly sensitive and stable amperometric ethanol biosensor. ADH was immobilized within a thin film of CNT–titania–Nafion composite film coated on a glassy carbon electrode. Because of the mesoporous nature of the CNT–titania–Nafion composite film, the present biosensor exhibited remarkably fast response time within 2 s. The presence of CNT in the composite film increases not only the sensitivity of the ethanol biosensor but also the long‐term stability of the biosensor. The present biosensor responds linearly to ethanol in the wide concentration ranges from 1.0×10^?5 M to 3.0×10^?3 M with the sensitivity of 51.6 mA M^?1cm^?2. The present biosensor showed good long‐term stability with 75% of its activity retained after 4 weeks of storage in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0.     

Adsorptive Stripping Differential Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Risperidone with a Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotube‐Ionic Liquid Paste Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A new composite electrode has been fabricated based on coating multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and n‐octylpyridinum hexafluorophosphate (OPPF₆) ionic liquid composite on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode (OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE). This electrode shows very attractive electrochemical performances for electrooxidation of risperidone (RIS) compared to conventional electrodes using carbon and mineral oil, notably improved sensitivity and stability. The oxidation peak potentials in cyclic voltammogram of RIS on the OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE was occurred around 230 mV vs. SCE at Britton–Robinson (B–R) buffer (pH 4.0) at scan rate of 100 mV s^?1. The electrochemical parameters such as diffusion coefficient (D), charge transfer coefficient (α) and the electron transfer rate constant (k/_s) were determined using cyclic voltammetry. Under the optimized conditions, the peak current was linear to risperidone concentration over the concentration range of 10–200 nM with sensitivity of 0.016 μA/nM^?1 using differential pulse voltammetry. The detection limit was 6.54 nM (S/N = 3). The electrode also displayed good selectivity and repeatability. In the presence of clozapine (CLZ) the response of RIS kept almost unchanged. Thus this electrode could find application in the determination of RIS in some real samples. The analytical performance of the OPPF₆‐MWCNTs/GCE was demonstrated for the determination of RIS in human serum and pharmaceutical samples.     

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Ethanol Biosensor Based on Carbon Nanotube‐Titania‐Nafion Composite Film

Mesoporous titania‐Nafion composite doped with carbon nanotube (CNT) has been used for the immobilization of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) and alcohol dehydrogenase on an electrode surface to yield a highly sensitive and stable electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) ethanol biosensor. The presence of CNT in the composite film increases not only the sensitivity of the ECL biosensor but also the long‐term stability of the biosensor. The present biosensor responds linearly to ethanol in the wide concentration ranges from 1.0×10^?5 M to 1.0×10^?1 M with a detection limit of 5.0×10^?6 M (S/N=3). The present ECL ethanol biosensor exhibited higher ECL response compared to that obtained with the ECL biosensor based on the corresponding composite without CNT. The present CNT‐based ECL biosensor showed good long‐term stability with 75% of its initial activity retained after 2 weeks of storage in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0.     

Electroanalysis of Bisphenol A at a Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes‐gold Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A sensitive electrochemical method was developed for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)‐gold nanoparticles (GNPs) hybrid film, which was prepared based on the electrostatic interaction between positively charged cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and negatively charged MWCNTs and GNPs. The MWCNT‐GNPs/GCE exhibited an enhanced electroactivity for BPA oxidation versus unmodified GCE and MWCNTs/GCE. The experimental parameters, including the amounts of modified MWCNTs and GNPs, the pH of the supporting electrolyte, scan rate and accumulation time, were examined and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the differential pulse voltammetric anodic peak current of BPA was linear with the BPA concentration from 2.0×10^?8 to 2×10^?5 mol L^?1, with a limit of detection of 7.5 nmol L^?1. The proposed procedure was applied to determine BPA leached from real plastic samples with satisfactory results.     

Carbon Nanotubes‐Based Amperometric Cholesterol Biosensor Fabricated Through Layer‐by‐Layer Technique

A carbon nanotubes‐based amperometric cholesterol biosensor has been fabricated through layer‐by‐layer (LBL) deposition of a cationic polyelectrolyte (PDDA, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)) and cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)‐modified gold electrode, followed by electrochemical generation of a nonconducting poly(o‐phenylenediamine) (PPD) film as the protective coating. Electrochemical impedance measurements have shown that PDDA/ChOx multilayer film could be formed uniformly on MWNTs‐modified gold electrode. Due to the strong electrocatalytic properties of MWNTs toward H₂O₂ and the low permeability of PPD film for electroacitve species, such as ascorbic acid, uric acid and acetaminophen, the biosensor has shown high sensitivity and good anti‐interferent ability in the detection of cholesterol. The effect of the pH value of the detection solution on the response of the biosensor was also investigated. A linear range up to 6.0 mM has been observed for the biosensor with a detection limit of 0.2 mM. The apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant and the maximum response current density were calculated to be 7.17 mM and 7.32 μA cm^?2, respectively.     

Amperometric Biosensor for Lactate Based on Meldola's Blue Adsorbed on Silica Gel Modified with Niobium Oxide

A reagentless amperometric biosensor sensitive to lactate was developed. This sensor comprises a carbon paste electrode modified with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) cofactor and Meldola's blue (MB) adsorbed on silica gel coated with niobium oxide. The amperometric response was based on the electrocatalytic properties of MB to oxidize NADH, which was generated in the enzymatic reaction of lactate with NAD⁺ under catalysis of LDH. The dependence on the biosensor response was investigated in terms of pH, supporting electrolyte, ionic strength, LDH and NAD⁺ amounts and applied potential. The biosensor showed an excellent operational stability (95% of the activity was maintained after 250 determinations) and storage stability (allowing measurements for over than 2.5 months, when stored in a refrigerator). The proposed biosensor also presented good sensitivity allowing lactate quantification at levels down to 6.5×10^?6 mol L^?1. Moreover, the biosensor showed a wide linear response range (from 0.1 to 14 mmol L^?1 for lactate). These favorable characteristics allowed its application for direct measurements of lactate in biological samples such as blood. The precision of the data obtained by the proposed biosensor show reliable results for real complex matrices.