Preparation of GOD/Sol‐Gel Silica Film on Prussian Blue Modified Electrode for Glucose Biosensor Application

A novel amperometric glucose biosensor was fabricated by in situ incorporating glucose oxidase (GOD) within the sol‐gel silica film on a Prussian blue (PB) modified electrode. The method is simple and controllable, which combined the merits of in situ immobilizing biomolecules in sol‐gel silica film by electrochemical method and the synergic catalysis effects of PB and GOD molecules. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the GOD/sol‐gel silica film was homogeneous with a large number of three‐dimensional nanopores, which not only enhanced mass transport, but also maintained the active configuration of the enzyme molecule and prevented the leakage of enzyme, therefore improved the stability and sensitivity of the biosensor. The fabricated biosensor showed fast response time (10 s), high sensitivity (26.6 mA cm^?2 M^?1), long‐term stability, good suppression of interference, and linear range of 0.01 mM–5.8 mM with a low detection limit of 0.94 μM for the detection of glucose. In addition, the biosensor was successfully applied to determine glucose in human serum samples.     

Electrochemical Sensor for Sulfite and Sulfur Dioxide Based on 3‐Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane Derived Sol‐Gel Composite Electrode

A new sol‐gel derived composite sensor has been developed for the determination of sulfite and sulfur dioxide using 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, ferrous sulfate and graphite powder by sol‐gel process. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry studies revealed that the modified iron dispersed sol‐gel derived ceramic composite electrode exhibited excellent characteristics for the electrocatalytic oxidation of sulfite at a reduced potential of +0.35 V with good sensitivity and selectivity. The pH and the potential for sulfite estimation have been optimized. The sensor exhibited rapid and linear response to sulfite in the concentration range from 0.73 mg/L to 95.42 mg/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The proposed sensor can be utilized for the determination sulfur dioxide after absorbing in a suitable medium and has promising characteristics such as, rapid response, good reproducibility and remarkable stability.     

Square‐Wave Voltammetric Detection of Dopamine at a Copper‐(3‐Mercaptopropyl) Trimethoxy Silane Complex Modified Electrode

Square‐wave voltammetric detection of dopamine was studied at a copper (Cu)‐(3‐mercaptopropyl) trimethoxy silane (MPS)‐complex modified electrode (Cu‐MPS). The modification of the electrode was based on the attachment of MPS onto an electrochemically activated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by the interaction between methoxy silane groups of MPS and surface hydroxyl groups and followed by the complexation of copper with the thiol groups of MPS. The surface of the modified electrode was further coated by a thin layer of Nafion film. The surface of the Nafion coated MPS‐Cu complex modified electrode (Nafion/Cu‐MPS) was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectrometry. The modified electrode exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of dopamine, which was oxidized at a reduced potential of +0.35 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a wider pH range. Various experimental parameters, such as the amount of copper, the pH, and the temperature were optimized. A linear calibration plot was obtained in the concentration range between 8.0×10^?8 M and 5.0×10^?6 M and the detection limit was determined to be 5.0×10^?8 M. The other common biological compounds including ascorbic acid did not interfere and the modified electrode showed an excellent specificity to the detection of dopamine. The Nafion/Cu‐MPS modified electrode can be used for about 2 months without any significant loss in sensitivity.     

Hydrogen Peroxide Detection at Electrochemically and Sol‐Gel Derived Ir Oxide Films

Ir oxide (IrOx) films, formed electrochemically on bulk Ir metal (Ir/IrOx) and also on sol‐gel (SG) derived non‐silica based nanoparticulate Ir, have been studied as material useful for the detection of hydrogen peroxide, with possible application as a glucose biosensor. H₂O₂ reduction and oxidation on Ir/IrOx and SG‐derived IrOx films, deposited on various substrates such as Pt, Ir and GC, have been compared to the H₂O₂ behavior at the bare substrate. It was found that H₂O₂ reduction proceeds on the underlying electrode substrate, while H₂O₂ oxidation is independent of the nature of the substrate, therefore occurring via the IrOx film. The reactivity of IrOx towards H₂O₂ oxidation is similar to that seen at Pt, although IrOx has the additional advantages of excellent stability, insensitivity to common interfering substances, biocompatibility and a linear range of detection, up to at least 12 mM H₂O_2. At micromolar concentrations of H₂O₂, a second mode of detection, involving the catalyzed growth of IrOx films at Ir substrates, can be employed. These two methods of H₂O₂ analysis (oxidation/reduction and enhanced IrOx growth) can also be employed for glucose detection using IrOx‐based glucose biosensors.     

An Electrochemical Biosensor with Cholesterol Oxidase/ Sol‐Gel Film on a Nanoplatinum/Carbon Nanotube Electrode

The carbon nanotubes decorated nanoplatinum (CNT‐Pt) were prepared using a chemical reduction method and a novel base electrode was constructed by intercalating CNT‐Pt on the surface of a waxed graphite electrode. The results showed that the nano‐particles of platinum at a waxed graphite electrode exhibits high catalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The cholesterol oxidase (ChOx), chosen as a model enzyme, was immobilized with sol‐gel on the CNT‐Pt base electrode to construct a biosensor. The current response of the biosensor for cholesterol was very rapid (<20 s). The linear range for cholesterol measurement was 4.0×10^?6 mol/L ?1.0×10^?4 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.4×10^?6 mol/L. The experiments also showed that the ChOx/sol‐gel/CNT‐Pt biosensor was sensitive and stable in detecting cholesterol in serum samples.     

Development of a Creatinine Sensor Based on a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer‐Modified Sol‐Gel Film on Graphite Electrode

An electrochemical creatinine sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)‐modified sol‐gel film on graphite electrode was developed. The surface coating of MIP over sol‐gel was advantageous to obtain a porous film with outwardly exposed MIP cavities for unhindered selective rebinding of creatinine from aqueous and biological samples. A fast differential pulse, cathodic stripping voltammetric response of creatinine can be obtained after being preanodized the sensor in neutral medium containing appropriate amount of creatinine at +1.8 V versus SCE for 120 s. A linear response over creatinine concentration in the range of 1.23 to 100 μg mL^?1 was exhibited with a detection limit of 0.37 μg mL^?1 (S/N=3).     

Fabrication of Glucose Biosensor Based on Encapsulation of Glucose‐Oxidase on Sol‐Gel Composite at the Surface of Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Carbon Nanotubes and Celestine Blue

A simple procedure was developed to prepare a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Celestin blue. Cyclic voltammograms of the modified electrode show stable and a well defined redox couple with surface confined characteristic at wide pH range (2–12). The formal potential of redox couple (E′) shifts linearly toward the negative direction with increasing solution pH. The surface coverage of Celestine blue immobilized on CNTs glassy carbon electrode was approximately 1.95×10^?10 mol cm^?2. The charge transfer coefficient (α) and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (k_s) for GC/MWCNTs/Celestine blue were 0.43 and 1.26 s^?1, respectively. The modified electrode show strong catalytic effect for reduction of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen at reduced overpotential. The glucose biosensor was fabricated by covering a thin film of sol‐gel composite containing glucose oxides (GOx) on the surface of Celestine blue /MWCNTs modified GC electrode. The biosensor can be used successfully for selective detection of glucose based on the decreasing of cathodic peak current of oxygen. The detection limit, sensitivity and liner calibration rang were 0.3 μM, 18.3 μA/mM and 10 μM–6.0 mM, respectively. The accuracy of the biosensor for glucose detection was evaluated by detection of glucose in a serum sample, using standard addition protocol. In addition biosensor can reach 90% of steady currents in about 3.0 sec and interference effect of the electroactive existing species (ascorbic acid–uric acid and acetaminophen) was eliminated. Furthermore, the apparent Michaelis–Menten constant 2.4 mM, of GOx on the nano composite exhibits excellent bioelectrocatalytic activity of immobilized enzyme toward glucose oxidation. Excellent electrochemical reversibility of redox couple, high stability, technically simple and possibility of preparation at short period of time are of great advantages of this procedure for modification of glucose biosensor.     

A Cholesterol Biosensor Based on Entrapment of Cholesterol Oxidase in a Silicic Sol‐Gel Matrix at a Prussian Blue Modified Electrode

A cholesterol biosensors fabricated by immobilization of cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) in a layer of silicic sol‐gel matrix on the top of a Prussian Blue‐modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared. It is based on the detection of hydrogen peroxide produced by ChOx at ?0.05 V. The half‐lifetime of the biosensor is about 35 days. Cholesterol can be determined in the concentration range of 1×10^?6?8×10^?5 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.2×10^?7 mol/L. Normal interfering compounds, such as ascorbic acid and uric acid do not affect the determination. The high sensitivity and outstanding selectivity are attributed to the Prussian Blue film modified on the sensor.     

Voltammetric and Differential Pulse Stripping Study of Adenine on a Sol‐gel Derived Carbon Composite Electrode

This communication reports on the electrochemical investigation of adenine on a sol‐gel carbon composite electrode (CCE). Cyclic voltammetric (CV) technique is used to characterize the redox behavior of adenine at CCE. The peak current and peak potentials are dependent on the pH of the buffer solution. From the scan rate and peak current study, there is evidence of adsorption of adenine on the CCE. The parameters affecting the differential pulse stripping adsorption peak were systematically optimized. Under optimum conditions of E_acc=?0.10 and t_acc=60 s, a linear calibration plot was obtained, 2×10^?7–1×10^?6 M. This CCE is useful for the simultaneous analysis of adenine and guanine from denatured DNA.     

The Effect of Ionic Liquid Covalent Bonding to Sol‐Gel Processed Film on Ion Accumulation and Transfer

Accumulation of electroactive anions into a silicate film with covalently bonded room temperature ionic liquid film deposited on an indium tin oxide electrode was studied and compared with an electrode modified with an unconfined room temperature ionic liquid. A thin film containing imidazolium cationic groups was obtained by sol‐gel processing of the ionic liquid precursor 1‐methyl‐3‐(3‐trimethoxysilylpropyl)imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide together with tetramethylorthosilicate on the electrode surface. Profilometry shows that the obtained film is not smooth and its approximate thickness is above 1 μm. It is to some extent permeable for a neutral redox probe – 1,1′‐ferrocene dimethanol. However, it acts as a sponge for electroactive ions like Fe(CN)₆^3?, Fe(CN)₆^4? and IrCl₆^3?. This effect can be traced by cyclic voltammetry down to a concentration equal to 10^?7 mol dm^?3. Some accumulation of the redox active ions also occurs at the electrode modified with the ionic liquid precursor, but the voltammetric signal is significantly smaller compare with the bare electrode. The electrochemical oxidation of the redox liquid t‐butyloferrocene deposited on silicate confined ionic liquid film is followed by the expulsion of the electrogenerated cation into an aqueous solution. On the other hand, the voltammetry obtained with the electrode modified with t‐butyloferrocene solution in the ionic liquid precursor exhibits anion sensitive voltammetry. This is explained by anion insertion into the unconfined ionic liquid deposit following t‐butylferricinium cation formation.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Cytochrome c on a Silica Sol‐Gel Film Modified Electrode

Dilute silica sol‐gel was simply dropped on the surface of a basal plane graphite electrode (BPGE) to form a silica sol‐gel film modified electrode. Direct electrochemical response of cytochrome c (Cyt c) on the modified electrode was observed by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results suggested that Cyt c could be tightly adsorbed on the surface of the silica sol‐gel film modified electrode. A couple of well‐defined and nearly reversible redox peaks can be observed in a phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0), which anodic and cathodic peak potentials were at ?0.243 and ?0.306 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), respectively. Cyt c adsorbed on the surface of silica sol‐gel film shows a remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of oxygen. Based on these, a third‐generation biosensor could be constructed to detect the concentration of oxygen in aqueous solution.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Dopamine at Sol‐Gel Carbon Composite Electrode Chemically Modified with Copper Hexacyanoferrate

An organic‐inorganic composite electrode was prepared by the sol‐gel method. For this purpose the carbon composite electrode (CCE) was modified with copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF). The CuHCF‐CCE was prepared by two methods. In one method CCE was prepared in one step and in another method the electrode was prepared in a two‐step process. The electrochemical behavior of the CuHCF modified electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry; the modified electrode shows a pair of peaks with a surface‐confined characteristic in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7) with K⁺ cation, as a supporting electrolyte. The CuHCF‐CCE showed electrocatalytic activity toward oxidation of Dopamine (DA). The kinetics of the catalytic reaction was investigated by using chronoamperometry. The average value of the rate constant for catalytic reaction and the diffusion coefficient were calculated. At a 0.85 V potential under hydrodynamic conditions (stirred solution), the oxidation current is proportional to the dopamine concentration, and the calibration plot was linear over the concentration range of 5‐85 μM.     

Sol‐Gel‐Derived Biosensor Based on Plant Tissue: The Inhibitory Effect of Atrazine on Polyphenol Oxidase Activity for Determination of Atrazine

This work presents a sol‐gel based biosensor for atrazine determination which has been obtained by introducing the enzyme polyphenol oxidase from apple tissue in a sol‐gel matrix. Apple tissue acts as a molecular recognition element. Atrazine is an inactive compound electrochemically; redox coupling of dopamine was used for studying atrazine behavior. Atrazine was determined by monitoring the inhibition power of polyphenol oxidase activity. The measurements were performed in 0.1 M KH₂PO₄‐NaOH buffer (pH 7.5). The effect of various experimental parameters such as pH, concentration of buffer, concentration of dopamine, incubation time and matrix composition has been investigated for optimum analytical performance. The biosensor consisted of 10.3% (w/w) of apple tissue. The bioelectrode exhibits a linear response for dopamine and atrazine concentrations in the range of 5.66 × 10^?6?2.27 × 10^?3M and 1 × 10^?5 ?1 × 10^?4 M with a detection limit of 4.2 × 10^?6 and 5.5 × 10^?6 M, respectively. A correlation coefficient of 0.9945 and a relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of 3.29% for dopamine, 0.9944 and 3.69% for a trazine were achieved.     

Poly(ortho‐toluidine) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode: A Sensor for Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrite

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite has been studied by poly(ortho‐toluidine) films modified carbon paste electrode (P‐OT/MCPE). Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques were used to investigate the suitability of poly(ortho‐toluidine) as a mediator for the electrocatalytic nitrite reduction in aqueous solution with various pH. Results showed that pH 0.00 is the most suitable for this purpose. In the optimum pH, the reduction of nitrite occurs at a potential about 600 mV more positive than unmodified carbon paste electrode. The catalytic reaction rate constant, (k_h), was calculated 8.68×10² M^?1 s^?1 by the data of chronoamperometry. The catalytic reduction peak current was linearly dependent on the nitrite concentration and the linearity range obtained was 5.00×10^?4 M–1.90×10^?2 M. Detection limit has been found to be 3.38×10^?4 M (2σ). This method has been successfully employed for quantification of nitrite in real sample.     

Dehydrogenase‐Based Reagentless Biosensors: Electrochemically Assisted Deposition of Sol‐Gel Thin Films on Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have been functionalized, for the electrocatalytic detection of NADH, by microwave treatment, electrochemical deposition of poly(methylene green) or wrapping with an Os‐complex modified polymer. Sol‐gel thin films have been then electrodeposited on the carbon nanotube layers for co‐immobilization of D ‐sorbitol dehydrogenase and diaphorase when necessary and NAD⁺ via covalent linkage using glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The comparison of these systems shows that the electrodeposited sol‐gel matrix can significantly affect the operational behavior of functionalized MWCNT. Only MWCNT wrapped with the Os‐complex modified polymer and covered with a sol‐gel biocomposite allowed the electrochemical detection of D ‐sorbitol in a reagentless configuration.     

Electrochemical Properties of Th(IV)‐Hexacyanoferrate Sol‐Gel Carbon Composite Electrode: Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Dopamine and Ascorbic Acid

A new sol‐gel carbon composite electrode using hexacyanoferrate (HCF)‐Th(IV) ion pair as a suitable modifier is fabricated in the present study. The Th(IV)‐HCF‐sol‐gel carbon composite electrode (THCF‐CCE) has been prepared by mixing methyl trimethoxysilan (MTMOS) sol‐gel precursor and carbon powder with ion pair and then to fix in a plastic tube. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were employed to study the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of proposed electrode. The apparent charge transfer rate constant, k_s, and transfer coefficient, α, for electron transfer between ion‐pair and sol‐gel CPE were calculated as 3.10 ± 0.10 s^?1 and 0.52, respectively. The THCF‐CCE showed a significant electrocatalytic activity towards oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA) in 0.1 M acidic phosphate buffer solutions (pH 3) containing KCl as a supporting electrolyte. The mean value of the diffusion coefficients for ascorbic acid and dopamine were found 4.12 × 10^?5 and 4.43 × 10^?5 (cm²s^?1), respectively. High stability, good reproducibility, rapid response, easy surface regeneration and fabrication are the important characteristics of the proposed sensor. The resulting peaks from the electrocatalytic oxidation of AA and DA were well resolved with good sensitivity. A linear response was observed for AA and DA in the concentration range of 1 × 10^?5 to 3 × 10^?3 M and 4 × 10^?6 to 2.2 × 10^?4 M, respectively.     

Voltammetric Reduction of a 4‐Nitroimidazole Derivative on a Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

We report the electrochemical behavior of a 4‐nitroimidazole derivative, 1‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐2‐hydroxymethylimidazole (4‐NImMeOH), on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). As dispersing agents, dimethylformamide (DMF) and water were used. The electrochemical response of the resulting electrodes was evaluated using linear sweep, cyclic and square‐wave voltammetry (LSV, CV and SWV). Several parameters such as medium pH, nature and concentration of the CNTs dispersion and accumulation time were tested. The optimal conditions determined for obtain better response were: pH 2, dispersion concentration=4 mg/mL of CNT in water, accumulation time=7 min. The MWCNT‐modified GCE exhibited attractive electrochemical properties producing enhanced currents with a significant reduction in the overpotential and good signal‐to‐noise characteristics, in comparison with the bare GCE. The modified electrode is highly repeatable for consecutive measurements, reaching a variation coefficient of 2.9% for ten consecutive runs.     

Voltammetric Determination of 3‐Nitrofluoranthene and 3‐Aminofluoranthene at Boron Doped Diamond Thin‐Film Electrode

The voltammetric behavior of 3‐nitrofluoranthene and 3‐aminofluoranthene was investigated in mixed methanol‐water solutions by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at boron doped diamond thin‐film electrode (BDDE). Optimum conditions have been found for determination of 3‐nitrofluoranthene in the concentration range of 2×10^?8–1×10^?6 mol L^?1, and for determination 3‐aminofluorathnene in the concentration range of 2×10^?7–1×10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. Limits of determination were 3×10^?8 mol L^?1 (3‐nitrofluoranthene) and 2×10^?7 mol L^?1 (3‐aminofluoranthene).     

Structure and Dielectric Properties of NiTiO3 Powders Synthesized by the Modified Sol–Gel Method

This study reports the synthesis of nickel titanate (NiTiO₃) powders by using the modified sol‐gel method, with nickel acetate tetrahydrate as the nickel source, titanium isopropoxide as the titanium source, and 2‐methoxyethanol as the solvent, followed by post‐heat treatment in air at temperatures ranging from 500 °C to 900 °C. The characteristics of powders were determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), FT‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy (UV/Vis), and Raman spectroscopy. The particle size and surface area of the powders were also measured. The results indicated that single‐phase NiTiO₃ can be prepared using the modified sol‐gel method, followed by post‐heat treatment at the relatively low temperature of 550 °C. The crystallite sizes and particle sizes of NiTiO₃ powders increase in conjunction with the post‐heat treatment temperatures. However, the surface area of the powders shrinks as the post‐heat treatment temperatures increase. The dielectric constants of NiTiO₃ powders, based on the capacitance‐voltage analysis, are within a range of 13.2 to 17.8.     

Electrochemical Study of the Interactions of DNA with Redox‐Active Molecules Based on the Immobilization of dsDNA on the Sol‐Gel Derived Nano Porous Hydroxyapatite‐Polyvinyl Alcohol Hybrid Material Coating

A novel type of sol‐gel inorganic‐organic hybrid material coated on glassy carbon electrode used for immobilization of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) and study of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules was developed. The hybrid material coating was produced by sol‐gel method with nano hydroxyapatite (HAp)‐polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The optimum composition of the hybrid material was first examined, and the morphology of the nano HAp‐PVA coatings was investigated with the help of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). DsDNA was immobilized in/on the nano HAp‐PVA hybrid coatings by adsorption and the characteristics of the dsDNA/HAp‐PVA/GCE were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using the probes of Co(phen) and Fe(CN) . The results indicate that the dsDNA can be immobilized on the nano porous HAp‐PVA coating effectively and its stability can satisfy the necessity of study on the interactions of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules on the electrode surface. Co(bpy) and Co(phen) were used as the model molecule to study the interactions of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules. Information such as ratio (K_Ox/K_Red) of the binding constant for the oxidized and reduced forms of a bound species, interaction mode, including change in the mode of interaction, and “limiting” ratio K /K at zero ionic strength (μ) can be obtained using dsDNA/HAp‐PVA/GCE with about 2 μg of DNA samples.