A Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Immunosensor for Determination of 1‐Pyrenebutyric Acid Based on the Bifunctionality of Nafion/Gold Nanoparticles Composite Electrode

A simple, highly sensitive and label‐free electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) immunosensor was developed using Nafion and gold nanoparticles (nano‐Au/Nafion) composites for the determination of 1‐pyrenebutyric acid (PBA). Under the optimal conditions, the amount of immobilized antibody was significantly improved on the nano‐Au/Nafion electrode due to the synergistic effect and biocompatibility of Nafion film and gold nanoparticles composites. The results showed that the sensitivity and stability of nano‐Au/Nafion composite electrode for PBA detection were much better than those of nano‐Au modified glassy carbon electrode (nano‐Au/GCE). The plot of increased electron transfer resistances (R_ets) against the logarithm of PBA concentration is linear over the range from 0.1 to 150 ng·mL^?1 with the detection limit of 0.03 ng·mL^?1. The selectivity and accuracy of the proposed EIS immunosensor were evaluated with satisfactory results.     

Detection of Thiols by o‐Quinone Nanocomposite Modified Electrodes

A chemically modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was developed as an amperometric sensor for detection of biological thiols. The electrode was modified by inclusion of co‐enzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and a co‐catalyst of oxidized single wall carbon nanotubes (Ox‐SWNT) into a gold polypyrrole (Au‐PPy) nanocomposite matrix. The electrode (PQQ/Ox‐SWNT/Au‐PPy/GC) was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Optimal conditions for the PQQ/Ox‐SWNT/Au‐PPy/GC electrode were determined and then utilized for the amperometric detection of L‐cysteine, N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine, L‐penicillamine and D, L‐glutathione. The electrochemical response for each thiol in pH 3.2 citrate phosphate buffer at +450 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) was found to be linear with limit of detections (LOD, S/N=3) ranging from 0.50 µM for L‐penicillamine to 1.55 µM for D, L‐glutathione with sensitivities of 30.2 nA/µM and 3.6 nA/µM respectively. The electrode design is simple and easy to construct using a minimum amount of co‐enzyme and co‐catalyst, resulting in detection methods with very good stability and improved sensitivity for thiol detection.     

Strategy for Low Background‐Current Levels in the Electrochemical Biosensors Using Horse‐Radish Peroxidase Labels

This article describes an electrochemical strategy to achieve low background‐current levels in horse‐radish peroxidase (HRP)‐based electrochemical immunosensors. The strategy consists of (i) the use of an HRP substrate/product redox couple whose formal potential is high and (ii) the use of an electrode that shows moderate electrocatalytic activity for the redox couple. The strategy is proved by a model biosensor using a catechol/o‐benzoquinone redox couple and an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The combined effect of high formal potential and moderate electrocatalytic activity allows o‐benzoquinone electroreduction with minimal catechol electrooxidation and H₂O₂ electroreduction. The detection limit for mouse‐IgG is 100 pg/mL.     

PAMAM Dendrimers‐Based DNA Biosensors for Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization

Gold electrodes were modified with submonolayers of mercaptoacetic acid (RSH) and further reacted with poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (generation 4.0) to obtain thin films, on which DNA probe was later immobilized to afford a stable recognition layers. The characterization of the PAMAM/RSH‐modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance measurement. Differential pulse voltammogram (DPV) measurement was used to monitor DNA hybridization with daunomycin (DNR) as indicator. Experiments carried out with these novel materials not only showed an improved DNA attachment quantity on the dendrimers‐modified electrodes compared to DNA sensors with oligonucleotides directly immobilized on Au electrodes, but also exhibited a high selectivity, sensitivity and stability for the measurement of DNA hybridization.     

Preconcentration and Determination of a Phospholipid at a Surface Modified by Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly

Electrochemical oxidation of a phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC), was accomplished at a 4‐aminothiophenol (ATP)‐modified gold electrode coated with a layer‐by‐layer assembly of an electrochemical catalyst (dirhodium phosphomolybdic acid), a trapping agent for PC (a cyclophane, CP, derivative, 1,4‐xylylene‐1,4‐phenylene‐diacetate), and a spacer (generation‐4 polyamidoamine dendrimer, PAMAM). The layer‐by‐layer assembly process and the trapping of PC was verified by quartz crystal microbalance measurements; Au|ATP|CP|PAMAM|CP trapped (1.5±0.4)×10^?9 mol cm^?2 of PC. The electrocatalytic oxidation of PC yielded a current that varied linearly with concentration over the range 1–50 μM; the R² value was 0.996.     

Electrochemical Behavior of o‐Nitrophenol at Hexagonal Mesoporous Silica Modified Carbon Paste Electrodes

A hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) was fabricated and characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods (ferrocene as a probe). The electrochemical behavior of nitrophenol (o‐NP) at the HMS modified electrode (HMSCPE) was investigated. Compared with CPE, a well‐defined reduction peak and a remarkably peak current response was observed. It is indicated that mesoporous HMS exhibited remarkable enhancement effects on the electrochemical reduction of o‐NP. The electrochemical reduction mechanism was also discussed. Consequently, a simple and sensitive electrochemical method was proposed for the determination of o‐NP, which was used to determine o‐NP in waste water samples.     

Electro‐Oxidation of 3,4‐Dihydroxybenzoic Acid in the Presence of 6‐Methyl‐1,2,4‐Triazine‐3‐Thione‐5‐One: Unique Synthesis of 7H‐Thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐Triazin‐7‐One Derivative in Aqueous Media

The electrochemical oxidation of 3,4‐dihydroxy benzoic acid ( 1 ) has been studied in the presence of 6‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazine‐3‐thione‐5‐one ( 2 ) in aqueous solution. The oxidation mechanism of 1 and its reaction in the presence of 2 was offered. It was confirmed that 1 is converted to 7H‐thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐7‐one derivative 5 through Michael addition reaction of 2 to anodically generated o‐benzoquinone. The results of the research were used for electrochemical synthesis of 5 in an undivided cell in good yield and purity.     

A New Amperometric Biosensor Based on HRP/Nano-Au/L-Cysteine/Poly（o-Aminobenzoic acid）-Membrane-Modified Platinum Electrode for the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide

The third generation amperometric biosensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） has been described. For the fabrication of biosensor, o-aminobenzoic acid （oABA） was first electropolymerized on the surface of platinum （Pt） electrode as an electrostatic repulsion layer to reject interferences. Horseradish peroxidase （HRP） absorbed by nano-scaled particulate gold （nano-Au） was immobilized on the electrode modified with polymerized o-aminobenzoic acid （poABA） with L-cysteine as a linker to prepare a biosensor for the detection of H2O2. Amperometric detection of H2O2 was realized at a potential of ＋20 mV versus SCE. The resulting biosensor exhibited fast response, excellent reproducibility and sensibility, expanded linear range and low interferences. Temperature and pH dependence and stability of the sensor were investigated. The optimal sensor gave a linear response in the range of 2.99×10^-6 to 3.55×10^-3 mol·L^-1 to H2O2 with a sensibility of 0.0177 A·L^-1·mol^-1 and a detection limit （S/N = 3） of 4.3×10^-7 mol·L^-1. The biosensor demonstrated a 95% response within less than 10 s.     

Immobilization of Enzymes on the Nano‐Au Film Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide and Glucose

A new enzyme‐based amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide was developed relying on the efficient immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to a nano‐scaled particulate gold (nano‐Au) film modified glassy carbon electrode (GC). The nano‐Au film was obtained by a chitosan film which was first formed on the surface of GC. The high affinity of chitosan for nano‐Au associated with its amino groups resulted in the formation of nano‐Au film on the surface of GC. The film formed served as an intermediator to retain high efficient and stable immobilization of the enzyme. H₂O₂ was detected using hydroquinone as an electron mediator to transfer electrons between the electrode and HRP. The HRP immobilized on nano‐Au film maintained excellent electrocatalytical activity to the reduction of H₂O₂. The experimental parameters such as the operating potential of the working electrode, mediator concentration and pH of background electrolyte were optimized for best analytical performance of amperometry. The linear range of detection for H₂O₂ is from 6.1×10^?6 to 1.8×10^?3 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 6.1 μmol L^?1 based on signal/noise=3. The proposed HRP enzyme sensor has the features of high sensitivity (0.25 Almol^?1cm^?2), fast response time (t_90%≤10 s) and a long‐term stability (>1 month). As an extension, glucose oxidase (GOD) was chemically bound to HRP‐modified electrode. A GOD/HRP bienzyme‐modified electrode formed in this way can be applied to the determination of glucose with satisfactory performance.     

Electrochemical Behavior and Amperometric Detection of 4‐Chlorophenol on Nano‐Au Thin Films Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

An amperometric sensor based on nano‐Au thin films was fabricated, by means of which a fast response to 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP) can be achieved in the range of mM concentrations. The nanostructured Au thin film was prepared on glassy carbon electrodes by a template‐free, double‐potential step electrodeposition technique. Its structural feature can be controlled well by adjusting the deposition time. The amperometric detection of 4‐CP was performed at +0.85 V with a linear detection range from 0.2 to 4.8 mM and a detection limit of 0.11 mM (S/N=3). Besides, the effect of concentrations on the electrochemical behavior of 4‐CP on the Au thin film was investigated by linear sweep voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.     

Improvement of Selectivity and Stability of Amperometric Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Prussian Blue‐PAMAM Supramolecular Complex Membrane as a Catalytic Layer

A novel hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor was fabricated by using a submonolayer of 3‐mercaptopropionic acid (3‐MPA) adsorbed on a polycrystalline gold electrode further reacted with poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer (generation 4.0) to obtain a film on which Prussian Blue (PB) was later coordinated to afford a mixed and stable electrocatalytic layer for H₂O₂ reduction. On the basis of the electrochemical behaviors, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), it is suggested that the PB molecules are located within the dendritic structure of the surface attached PAMAM dendrimers. It was found that the PB/PAMAM/3‐MPA/Au modified electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for H₂O₂ reduction. The effects of applied potential and pH of solution upon the response of the modified electrode were investigated for an optimum analytical performance. Even in the presence of dissolved oxygen, the sensor exhibited highly sensitive and rapid response to H₂O₂. The steady‐state cathodic current responses of the modified electrode obtained at ?0.20 V (vs. SCE) in air‐saturated 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 6.50) showed a linear relationship to H₂O₂ concentration ranging from 1.2×10^?6 mol L^?1 to 6.5×10^?4 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.1×10^?7 mol L^?1. Performance of the electrode was evaluated with respected to possible interferences such as ascorbic acid and uric acid etc. The selectivity, stability, and reproducibility of the modified electrode were satisfactory.     

水相中5-（嘌呤-6-巯基）邻苯二酚衍生物的电化学合成

本文报道了6-巯基嘌呤存在时在水相中通过阳极氧化邻苯二酚来电化学合成5-(嘌呤-6-巯基)邻苯二酚衍生物。循环伏安法和控制电位电解的结果表明该类化合物的形成为EC过程,即邻苯二酚衍生物原料先是被电化学氧化成对应的邻苯醌衍生物,该醌非常活泼,进一步与6-巯基嘌呤发生迈克尔加成反应,原位转化生成化合物3a-3d。该工作进一步证明了水相中邻苯醌衍生物的电化学合成与原位转化是合成邻苯二酚衍生物的重要方法。     

Photoresponsive nanocarriers based on PAMAM dendrimers with a o‐nitrobenzyl shell

Gn (n = 3, 4, and 5) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers were synthesized and peripherally modified with photocleavable o‐nitrobenzyl (NB) groups by reacting o‐nitrobenzaldehyde with the terminal amine groups of PAMAM dendrimers, followed by reducing the imine to amine groups with NaBH₄. The NB‐modified dendrimers, Gn‐NB (n = 3, 4, and 5), were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the NB groups were successfully attached on the periphery of the dendrimers with near 100% grafting efficiency. Such a photosensitive NB shell could be cut off on irradiation with 365 nm ultraviolet (UV) light. The encapsulation and release of guest molecules, that is, salicylic acid (SA) and adriamycin (ADR), by Gn‐NB were explored. The encapsulation capability of these dendrimers was found to increase as the guest molecular size was decreased and have dependence on the generation of dendrimers as well. For both of SA and ADR, the average encapsulation numbers per dendrimer decreased in the order of G4‐NB > G5‐NB > G3‐NB, indicating that the fourth generation dendrimer was a better container for the guest molecules. The rate of SA release was found to be greater with UV irradiation than that without, suggesting that the NB‐shelled PAMMAM dendrimers could function as a molecular container/box with photoresponsive characteristics. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 551–557, 2010     

Measurement of Dissolved Oxygen in Biological Fluids by Using a Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A modified carbon paste electrode was constructed for the determination of dissolved oxygen using diamino‐o‐benzoquinone (DABQ) as the modifier. The electrochemical behavior of the electrode in citrate buffer (pH 2.0) was studied. In the presence of dissolved oxygen (DO) both cathodic and anodic peak currents decreased, indicating a chemical reaction between modifier and O₂. The decrease in peak current was linearly proportional to the amount of dissolved oxygen in the concentration range of 252–1260 μM of DO. The electrode was utilized in the determination of DO in urine samples. The relative error and RSD of the method were 1.6% and 4.1%, respectively. The electrode was applied more than two months for the determination of DO without any significant divergence in its voltammetric response.     

Amperometric Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on the Immobilization of Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) on the Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly Films of Gold Colloidal Nanoparticles and Toluidine Blue

The precursor film was first formed on the Au electrode surface based on the self‐assembly of L ‐cysteine and the adsorption of gold colloidal nanoparticles (nano‐Au). Layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly films of toluidine blue (TB) and nano‐Au were fabricated by alternately immersing the electrode with precursor film into the solution of toluidine blue and gold colloid. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) were adopted to monitor the regular growth of {TB/Au} bilayer films. The successful assembly of {TB/Au}_n films brings a new strategy for electrochemical devices to construct layer‐by‐layer assembly films of nanomaterials and low molecular weight materials. In this article, {TB/Au}_n films were used as model films to fabricate a mediated H₂O₂ biosensor based on horseradish peroxidase, which responded rapidly to H₂O₂ in the linear range from 1.5×10^?7 mol/L to 8.6×10^?3 mol/L with a detection limit of 7.0×10^?8 mol/L. Morphologies of the final assembly films were characterized with scanning probe microscopy (SPM).     

FeS2−AuNPs Nanocomposite as Mimicking Enzyme for Constructing Signal‐off Sandwich‐type Electrochemical Immunosensor Based on Electroactive Nickel Hexacyanoferrate as Matrix

In this work, a novel sandwich‐type electrochemical immunosensor with electroactive nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (NiHCFNPs) as matrix was constructed for α‐fetoprotein (AFP) detection in a signal‐off manner by using FeS₂?AuNPs nanocomposite catalyzed insoluble precipitation to significantly inhibit the electrochemical signal. Initially, the NiHCFNPs with excellent electrochemical property was modified on the electrodeposited nano‐Au electrode to obtain a strong initial electrochemical signal. Subsequently, another nano‐Au layer was formed for immobilization of capture antibody (Ab₁). In the presence of target AFP, the prepared FeS₂?AuNPs‐Ab₂ bioconjugate could be specifically recognized and immobilized on electrode through the sandwich‐type immunoreaction. The FeS₂ with large specific surface areas were used as scaffolds to load abundant mimicking enzyme AuNPs. With the help of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), FeS₂?AuNPs with peroxidase‐like activity accelerated the 4‐chloro‐1‐naphthol (4‐CN) oxidation with generation of insoluble precipitation on electrode, which would greatly hinder the electron transfer and thus caused the decrease of electrochemical signal for quantitative determination of AFP. This approach achieved a wide dynamic linear range from 0.0001 to 100 ng mL^?1 with an ultralow limit detection of 0.028 pg mL^?1. Especially, the proposed AFP immunosensor can be applied to detect human serum samples with satisfactory results, indicating a potential application in clinical monitoring of tumor biomarkers.     

掺杂纳米金粒子的火焰氧化TiO2膜的光电化学性质的研究

A nano-Au modified TiO2 electrode was prepared via the oxidation of Ti sheet in flame and subsequent modification with gold nanoparticles. The results of SEM and TEM measurements show that the Au nanoparticles are well dispersed on TiO2 surface. A near 2-fold enhancement in photocurrent was achieved upon the modification with Au nanoparticles. From the results of photocurrent and electrochemical impedance experiments it was found that the flatband potential of nano-Au/TiO2 electrode negatively shifted about 100 mV in 0.5 mol/L Na2SO4 solutions compared with that of bare TiO2 electrode. The improvement of photoelectrochemical performance was explained by the inhibition for charge recombination of photo-induced electrons and holes, and the promotion for interracial charge-transfer kinetics at nano-Au/TiO2 composite film. Such nanometal-semiconductor composite films have the potential application in improving the performance of photoelectrochemical solar cells.     

Electorchemical Studies of Cytochrome c on Electodes Modified by Single—Wall Carbon Naotubes

Single-wall carbon nanotubes(SWNTs) modified gold electrodes were prepared by using two different methods.The electrochemical behavior of cytochrome c on the modified gold electrodes was investigated.The first kind of SWNT-modified electrode (noted as SWNT/Au electrode)was prepared by the adsorption of carboxylterminated SWNTs from DMF dispersion on the gold electrode.The oxidatively processed SWNT tips were covalently modified by coupling with amines (AET) to form amide linkage.Via Au-S chemical bonding,the self-assembled monolayer of thiol-unctionalized nanotubes on gold surface was fabricated so as to prepare the others SWNT-modified electrode (noted as SWNT/AET/Au electrode).It was shown from cyclic voltammetry cxperiments that cytochrome c exhibited direct electrochemical responses on the both electrodes, but only the current of controlled diffusion existed on the SWNT/Au electrode while both the currents of controlled diffusion and adsorption of cytochrome c occurred on the SWNT/AET/Au electrode.Photoelastic Modulation Infared Reflection Absorpthion Spectroscopy (PEM-IRRAS) and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) were employed to verify the adsorption of SWNTs on the gold electrodes.The results proved that SWNTs could enhance the direct electron transfer proecss between the electrodes and redox proteins.