Rapid Legionella pneumophila determination based on a disposable core–shell Fe3O4@poly(dopamine) magnetic nanoparticles immunoplatform

A novel amperometric magnetoimmunoassay, based on the use of core–shell magnetic nanoparticles and screen-printed carbon electrodes, was developed for the selective determination of Legionella pneumophila SG1. A specific capture antibody (Ab) was linked to the poly(dopamine)–modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs@pDA-Ab) and incubated with bacteria. The captured bacteria were sandwiched using the antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase (Ab-HRP), and the resulting MNPs@pDA-Ab-Legionella neumophila-Ab-HRP were captured by a magnetic field on the electrode surface. The amperometric response measured at −0.15 V vs. Ag pseudo-reference electrode of the SPCE after the addition of H₂O₂ in the presence of hydroquinone (HQ) was used as transduction signal. The achieved limit of detection, without pre-concentration or pre-enrichment steps, was 10⁴ Colony Forming Units (CFUs) mL⁻¹. The method showed a good selectivity and the MNPs@pDA-Ab exhibited a good stability during 30 days. The possibility of detecting L. pneumophila at 10 CFU mL⁻¹ level in less than 3 h, after performing a membrane-based preconcentration step, was also demonstrated.     

A multiwalled carbon nanotube/dihydropyran composite film electrode for insulin detection in a microphysiometer chamber

We have developed a multiwalled carbon nanotube/dihydropyran (MWCNT/DHP) composite sensor for the electrochemical detection of insulin in a microfluidic device. This sensor has been employed for physiological measurements of secreted insulin from pancreatic islets in a Cytosensor^® previously modified to be a multianalyte microphysiometer (MAMP). When compared with other established electrochemical insulin sensors, the MWCNT/DHP composite film sensor presented improved resistance to fluidic shear forces, while achieving enhanced electrode kinetics. In addition, the preparation of the composite film is straightforward and facile with a self-polymerizing monomer, DHP, used to add mechanical stability to the film. The sensor film was able to detect insulin concentrations as low as 1 μM in the MAMP during calibration experiments. The MWCNT/DHP composite sensor has been successfully used for the direct detection of insulin secreted by islets in the microphysiometer.     

邻苯三酚红多壁碳纳米管糊电极为传感器分析制药和生物样品中异丙基肾上腺素

异丙基肾上腺素(ISPR)是一种重要的邻苯二酚胺类药物,广泛用于治疗心脏疾病.然而,过量服用该药对人体非常危险.本文采用邻苯三酚红修饰多壁碳纳米管糊电极(PGRMMWCNTPE)制备了一种新型传感器,用于高灵敏度检测水溶液中的ISPR.采用计时电流法、循环伏安法和方波伏安法考察了PGRMMWCNTPE电极电催化氧化ISPR性能.通过伏安数据计算了ISPR氧化的催化反应速率常数、电子传递系数和扩散系数.在ISPR浓度0.8–570μmol/L范围内建立了线性标准曲线,检测限为0.47μmol/L ISPR.将该传感器用于尿液和药物样品中ISPR检测得到满意结果.     

Label-free and sequence-specific DNA detection down to a picomolar level with carbon nanotubes as support for probe DNA

This study describes a simple and label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) method for sequence-specific detection of DNA by using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as the support for probe DNA. SWNTs are confined onto gold electrodes with mixed self-assembly monolayers of thioethanol and cysteamine. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe is anchored onto the SWNT support through covalent binding between carboxyl groups at the nanotubes and amino groups at 5′ ends of ssDNA. Hybridization of target DNA with the anchored probe DNA greatly increases the interfacial electron-transfer resistance (R_et) at the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-modified electrodes for the redox couple of Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−, which could be used for label-free and sequence-specific DNA detection. EIS results demonstrate that the utilization of SWNTs as the support for probe DNA substantially increases the surface loading of probe DNA onto electrode surface and thus remarkably lowers the detection limit for target DNA. Under the conditions employed here, R_et is linear with the concentration of target DNA within a concentration range from 1 to 10 pM with a detection limit down to 0.8 pM (S/N = 3). This study may offer a novel and label-free electrochemical approach to sensitive sequence-specific DNA detection.     

Electropolymerized multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole fiber for solid-phase microextraction and its applications in the determination of pyrethroids

A novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber coated with multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole (MWCNTs/Ppy) was prepared with an electrochemical method and used for the extraction of pyrethroids in natural water samples. The results showed that the MWCNTs/Ppy coated fiber had high organic stability, and remarkable acid and alkali resistance. In addition, the MWCNTs/Ppy coated fiber was more effective and superior to commercial PDMS and PDMS/DVD fibers in extracting pyrethroids in natural water samples. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curves were found to be linear from 0.001 to 10 μg mL⁻¹ for five of the six pyrethroids studied, the exception being fenvalerate (which was from 0.005 to 10 μg mL⁻¹), and detection limits were within the range 0.12-0.43 ng mL⁻¹. The recoveries of the pyrethroids spiked in water samples at 10 ng mL⁻¹ ranged from 83 to 112%.     

利用Cu0/多壁碳纳米管纳米复合物修饰玻碳电极快速非酶法检测葡萄糖和果糖(英文)

A nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for glucose and fructose was fabricated that contained a glassy carbon electrode modified with a copper oxide (CuO)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite. The electrochemical properties of the CuO/MWCNT‐modified glassy carbon electrode were investigated. Two distinguishable anodic peaks were observed around 0.30 and 0.44 V corresponding to the oxidation of glucose and fructose, respectively, at the surface of the modified electrode. The detection limits for glucose and fructose were both 0.04 mmol/L. The sensor was used to simultaneously determine the concentrations of glucose and fructose in hydrolyzed sucrose samples, and to measure glucose in blood serum samples, demonstrating its potential as a nonenzymatic carbohydrate sensor.     

Covalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) by reactive melt blending

A small amount of cyano groups in poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) was converted to oxazoline groups through reaction with 2-aminoethanol. Reactive melt blending of oxazoline-containing SAN and acidified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) leads to the grafting of polymer chains onto MWCNTs arising from reactions between oxazoline and carboxylic acid groups. Spectroscopic, thermal and microscopic techniques confirmed the successful grafting of SAN onto MWCNTs. This method is comparatively simpler and greener than a previously reported method, and can be adopted to graft other acrylonitrile-containing polymers onto MWCNTs.     

修饰的多壁碳纳米管糊电极用于生物与制药样品中苄丙酮香豆素电催化氧化和测定

采用一种简单灵敏的方法开发了在多壁碳纳米管修饰的ZnCrFeO4糊电极(MWCNTs/ZnCrFeO4/CPE)表面测定苄丙酮香豆素的新型传感器.运用循环伏安法、差示脉冲伏安法、计时电流法和电化学阻抗谱考察了该化学修饰电极上苄丙酮香豆素的电化学性能.结果表明,MWCNTs/ZnCrFeO4/CPE电极对苄丙酮香豆素氧化表现出较高的电催化活性,在pH=4时,产生峰值氧化电流约0.97 vs Ag/AgCl参比电极.当苄丙酮香豆素浓度在0.02-920.0 μmol/L范围内,该峰电流与其呈线性关系,检测极限(3σ)为0.003 μmol/L.另外,运用差示脉冲伏安法测定了MWCNTs/ZnCrFeO/CPE电极上苄丙酮香豆素的催化反应速率常数和扩散系数.     

Manufacture and evaluation of carbon nanotube modified screen-printed electrodes as electrochemical tools

Carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) dissolved in a mixture of DMF:water were used to modify the surfaces of commercially available screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). The morphology of the MWCNT-COOH and the modified SPEs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. SEM analysis showed a porous structure formed by a film of disordered nanotubes on the surface of the working electrode.The modification procedure with MWCNT-COOH was optimised and it was applied to unify the electrochemical behaviour of different gold and carbon SPEs by using p-aminophenol as the benchmark redox system. The analytical advantages of the MWCNT-COOH-modified SPEs as voltammetric and amperometric detectors as well as their catalytic properties were discussed through the analysis, for instance, of dopamine and hydrogen peroxide. Experimental results show that the electrochemical active area of the nanotube-modified electrode increased around 50%. The repeatability of the modification methodology is around 6% (R.S.D.) and the stability of MWCNT-COOH-modified SPEs is ensured for, at least, 2 months.     

Ab initio simulations of doped single-walled carbon nanotube sensors

The interactions between oxygen and nitrogen atoms with single-walled carbon nanotubes were investigated for nanotubes with two different geometrical configurations using first-principle calculations within the framework of the density functional theory. We introduced a new type of toxic gas sensor that can detect the presence of H₂, Cl₂, CO, and NO molecules. We also demonstrated that the sensitivity of this device can be controlled by the concentration of the dopants on the surface of the nanotube. In addition, the transport properties of the doped nanotube were studied for different concentrations of oxygen or nitrogen atoms that were randomly distributed on the surface of the single-walled carbon nanotube. We observed that small amounts of dopants can modify the electronic and transport properties of the nanotube and can lend metallic properties to the nanotube. Band-gap narrowing occurs when the nanotube is doped with either oxygen or nitrogen atoms.     

DNA在纳米碳管上的检测及甘草素-Cu(II)对DNA的损伤研究

本文用恒电位溶出法测定了单链、双链DNA在纳米碳管上的电化学行为,详细讨论了各种因素的影响,并研究了甘草素在铜离子的存在下对DNA的损伤作用,发现在0.84 V左右出现一个新峰,1.06 V的峰升高。同时用压电石英阻抗技术实时监测了这个损伤过程,进行进一步地佐证,频率的变化是损伤过程中的DNA降解导致的溶液粘密度变化所产生的。     

Analytical method for 44 pesticide residues in spinach using multi‐plug‐filtration cleanup based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry detection

Spinach is one of the most commonly planted vegetables worldwide. A high chlorophyll content makes spinach a complicated matrix in pesticide residue analysis. In this study, a rapid clean‐up method was developed for the analysis of pesticide multi‐residues in spinach followed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. A modified QuEChERS method with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and carbon material was adopted in the multi‐Plug Filtration Cleanup procedure. This method was validated for 44 representative pesticides spiked at two concentration levels of 10 and 100 μg/kg. The pesticides of different physicochemical properties were registered on spinach in China. The recoveries were between 76 and 114% for major pesticides with relative standard deviations of less than 15%, except for quizalofop‐P‐ethyl, pyrimethanil, and carbendazim. Matrix‐matched calibration curves were performed with the coefficients of determination higher than 0.995 for the studied pesticides for concentration levels of 10–500 μg/kg. The limits of quantitation ranged from 2 to 10 μg/kg. The developed method was successfully applied to determine pesticide residues in Chinese market spinach samples.     

Silver nanoparticle‐decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube/pramipexole nanocomposite: Synthesis,characterization and application as an antibacterial agent

This work reports the preparation of multiwalled carbon nanotube/pramipexole/Ag (CNT/pra/Ag) as a novel antibacterial agent, in which pramipexole groups are utilized as linkers to secure Ag nanoparticles to carbon nanotube surfaces without agglomeration. The resulting CNT/pra/Ag sample was characterized by performing transmission and scanning electron microscopy, wavelength‐ and energy‐dispersive X‐ray, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, inductively coupled plasma and Raman measurements. Using this approach, monodisperse spherical Ag nanoparticles in CNT/pra/Ag have narrow size distributions with average diameters of ca 3–8 nm. The antibacterial activity of CNT/pra/Ag was investigated against bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus , methicillin‐resistant S. aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli using the paper‐disc diffusion method and by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration. CNT/pra/Ag showed better inhibitory activity towards Gram‐positive bacteria than Gram‐negative bacteria in this study, which indicates its potential as an antibacterial material for laboratory and medical purposes.     

Electrochemical detection of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide based on molecular beacon-like DNA and E. coli DNA ligase

An electrochemical method for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) detection with high sensitivity and selectivity has been developed by using molecular beacon (MB)-like DNA and Escherichia coli DNA ligase. In this method, MB-like DNA labeled with 5′-SH and 3′-biotin was self-assembled onto a gold electrode in its duplex form by means of facile gold-thiol chemistry, which resulted in blockage of electronic transmission. It was eT OFF state. In the presence of NAD⁺, E. coli DNA ligase was activated, and the two nucleotide fragments which were complementary to the loop of the MB-like DNA could be ligated by the NAD⁺-dependent E. coli DNA ligase. Hybridization of the ligated DNA with the MB-like DNA induced a large conformational change in this surface-confined DNA structure, which in turn pushed the biotin away from the electrode surface and made the electrons exchange freely with the electrode. Then the generated electrochemical signals can be measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under optimized conditions, a linear response to logarithmic concentration of NAD⁺ range from 3 nM to 5 μM and a detection limit of 1.8 nM were obtained. Furthermore, the proposed strategy had sufficient selectivity to discriminate NAD⁺ from its analogues.     

Determination of puerarin and daidzein in Puerariae radix and its medicinal preparations by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with electrochemical detection

The use of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) with electrochemical detection is described for the determination of puerarin and daidzein in Puerariae radix and its medicinal preparations. Operated in a wall-jet configuration, a 300 μm diameter carbon-disk electrode was used as the working electrode, which exhibits good responses at +900 mV (versus SCE) for the two analytes. Under the optimum conditions, the analytes were base-line separated within 11 min in a sodium dodecyl sulphate—borax (pH 7.8) running buffer, and excellent linearity was obtained in the concentration range from 5.0×10⁻⁴ to 5.0×10⁻⁶ mol/l. The detection limit (S/N=3) was 6×10⁻⁷ and 1.1×10⁻⁶ mol/l for puerarin and daidzein, respectively. This work provides a useful method for the analysis of traditional Chinese medicines.     

Thermal and electrical properties of poly(l-lactide)-graft-multiwalled carbon nanotube composites

The dispersion of the nanometer-sized carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix leads to a marked improvement in the properties of the polymer. This approach can also be applied to biodegradable synthetic aliphatic polyesters such as poly(l-lactide) (PLLA), which has received a great deal of attention due to environmental concerns. In this study, PLLA was melt compounded with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A high degree of dispersion of the MWCNTs in the composites was obtained by grafting PLLA onto the MWCNTs (PLLA-g-MWCNTs). After oxidizing the MWCNTs by treating them with strong acids, they were reacted with l-lactide to produce the PLLA-g-MWCNTs. The morphology of the composite was observed with scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of the PLLA/PLLA-g-MWCNT composite were higher than those of the PLLA/MWCNT composite. The thermal stability of the composites was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and their activation energy during thermal degradation was determined using the Kissinger and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa methods. The activation energy of PLLA/PLLA-g-MWCNT was higher than that of PLLA/MWCNT, which indicates that the composite made with the PLLA-g-MWCNTs was more thermally stable than the composite made with the MWCNTs.     

碳纳米管/聚二烯丙基二甲基氯化铵/磷钼酸复合膜的组装及其在溴酸盐检测中的应用

通过静电层层组装技术在玻碳(GC)电极表面制备{多壁碳纳米管(MWCNT)/聚二烯丙基二甲基氯化铵(PDDA)}n多层膜,并采用循环伏安法在多层膜的表面电化学修饰一层磷钼酸(PMo12)膜,构筑GC/{MWCNT/PDDA}n-PMo12复合膜修饰电极.利用SEM对比观察{MWCNT/PDDA}n和{PDDA/MWCNT}n-PMo12的微观结构,并研究该复合膜修饰电极的电化学及其对溴酸盐(BrO3-)电催化还原性质.在此基础上研发一种基于GC/{MWCNT/PDDA}n-PMo12复合膜修饰电极的电流型BrO3-传感器,该传感器表现出明显增大的响应电流.在最优的实验条件下,采用电流时间曲线(i-t)法考察该复合膜修饰电极对BrO3-的安培响应.实验结果表明,该传感器在BrO3-浓度为50～400nmol/L的范围内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数R2为0.9950,响应时间为1.53s,检出限为20nmol/L,灵敏度为13.81mA(mmol/L)-1cm-2.     

Sensitively electrochemical detection of the DNA damage in situ by electro-Fenton reaction based on Fe@Fe2O3 core-shell nanonecklace and multi-walled carbon nanotube composite

An electrochemical biosensor for mimicking the metal-mediated DNA damage pathway in situ was presented. The Fenton reagents (H₂O₂ and iron ion) for the DNA damage were generated in situ with a constant rate from the sensing film. H₂O₂ and iron ion reacted further together to yield hydroxyl radical, which attacked DNA in the film. These courses of DNA damage were just like those happened in organism. The DNA damage was detected by monitoring the differential pulse voltammetric response of an electrochemical indicator, Co(phen)₃³⁺. Another electrochemical indicator, Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺, was also used for monitoring the DNA damage as a complementary means and the minimal detectable amount of DNA damage was 0.16 μg. The biosensor had good reproducibility. After this biosensor was used for 11 times, 90% of the first detection signal was obtained.     

Comparative study of graphene nanosheet- and multiwall carbon nanotube-based electrochemical sensor for the sensitive detection of cadmium

A novel nanocomposite was obtained through the controlled surface modification of graphene nanosheets (nanographene) with Nafion by ultrasonic oscillation. The composite was used as an ultrasensitive platform for the detection of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) analysis. The performance of the nanographene-based sensor was systematically compared with that of a multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-modified sensor. The results indicate that the nanographene-based sensor exhibits significant advantages over the MWCNT-based sensor in terms of repeatability, sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD). The nanographene-based sensor displayed superior analytical performance over a linear range of Cd²⁺ concentrations from 0.25 μg L⁻¹ to 5 μg L⁻¹, with a LOD of 3.5 ng L⁻¹. This sensor was also used to systematically screen for 6 types of chemicals, including sodium salts, magnesium salts and zinc salts. It was observed that the sensor could successfully differentiate cadmium ions from interferents (magnesium salts, zinc salts, etc.). The nanographene-based sensor was also demonstrated to be a promising and reliable tool for the rapid detection of cadmium existing in tap water and for the rapid on-site analysis of critical pollution levels of cadmium.