Nickel ferrite/zinc oxide nanocomposite: Investigating the photocatalytic and antibacterial properties

A facile strategy was used for the synthesis of nickel ferrite/zinc oxide (NiFe₂O_4/ZnO) nanocomposite via an ultra-sonication method and observed its recyclability and photostability with enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic performance. The photo degradation activities of as-synthesized photocatalysts were investigated using various dyes including methylene blue, crystal violet and methyl orange under solar light irradiation. Prepared material degrades 49.2% methyl orange, 44.4% methyl blue and 41.3% crystal violet in 40 min. Further, the synergistic effect of nickel ferrite and zinc oxide can reduce the probability of recombination of charge carrier and boost the charge separation which leads to remarkable photocatalytic performance. Magnetic properties of nickel ferrite reduces the agglomeration of material and increases the recyclability. The NiFe₂O_4/ZnO nanocomposites also exhibited better antibacterial activity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, which shows that they can be used for both environmental and biological applications.     

A highly sensitive dopamine sensor based on a polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide/Nafion nanocomposite

A nanocomposite of polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide (PANI-rGO) was synthesized using a hydrothermal method. The product was characterized by FT-IR, Raman spectra, XRD, SEM and TEM. Then the hybrid material of PANI-rGO and Nafion (PANI-rGO-NF) was prepared and used to modify glassy carbon electrode for the trace determination of dopamine (DA) employing differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). It was found that the hybrid material showed good catalytic activity toward the oxidation of DA, and no response to ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) was observed, suggesting a high selectivity of the sensor toward DA. The peak currents were linearly correlated with the concentration of DA in the range from 0.05 μmol/L to 60.0 μmol/L (R=0.996) and 60.0 μmol/L to 180.0 μmol/L (R=0.996) with a detection limit of 0.024 μmol/L (S/N=3). The modified electrode also exhibited excellent repeatability and stability.     

Nickel Hexacyanoferrate‐Based Sensor Electrode for the Detection of Nitric Oxide at Low Potentials

Recently transition metal hexacyanoferrates, analogues of Prussian Blue, have found application in electroanalysis for the detection of biologically relevant species. Our study describes the development of a novel electrode based on nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) for the sensorial NO determination. A NiHCF layer was deposited on platinum by cyclic voltammetry in a solution of nickel (II) chloride and potassium hexacyanoferrate (III). The electrode was found to be active for NO reduction. The interaction with the radical was studied voltammetrically within the range from 0 V up to +0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl/1 M KCl. The most appropriate potential for an amperometric detection was determined to be +0.25 V due to the advantageous signal/noise ratio. The sensitivity of the electrodes was found to be 2.0–2.3 A M^?1 cm^?2. The sensor response of the most important interferents for NO analysis, hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid and nitrite, was measured and determined to be sufficiently low.     

Phthalocyanines and related complexes as electrocatalysts for the detection of nitric oxide

Metallophthalocyanine (MPc) and metalloporphyrin complexes as well as some metalloproteins including myoglobin, hemoglobin, cyanocobalamin and cytochrome c catalyse the detection of nitric oxide (NO). The catalytic process often involve changes in the oxidation state of the catalyst. These complexes catalyse both the reduction and oxidation of NO. MPc complexes containing electroactive central metals such as CoPc and FePc generally show better catalytic activity towards the detection of NO than complexes containing electroinacive central metals. However, the involvement of ring based redox processes was confirmed for the homogenous NO catalysis using CoPc.     

Nickel Tetraaminophthalocyanine Based Films for the Electrocatalytic Activation of Dopamine

A novel electrode material was obtained by two consecutive procedures: (i) the electropolymerization of NiTAPc in DMF via the electro‐oxidative N–N coupling of the amino groups, to achieve a film denoted poly‐NiTAPc, followed by (ii) the electrochemical transformation of the poly‐NiTAPc film in alkaline aqueous solution to form the interconnected O? Ni? O oxo bridges. The obtained film is then denoted poly‐NiTAPc(OH). For the first time the electropolymerized poly‐NiTAPc coating shows a clear electrocatalytic activity towards Dopamine (DA) redox process, either as prepared or upon its electrochemical transformation in alkaline solution. Furthermore it clearly appears that poly‐NiTAPc(OH) film exhibits a much larger electrocatalytic behavior than the as‐prepared poly‐NiTAPc coating. This shows unambiguously the beneficial effect of the changes in the staking structure of the nickel phthalocyanine complexes upon the electrochemical treatment of the film in alkaline solution. It should be emphasized here that the increase in the oxido‐reduction currents related to DA on both films is not to be associated with any changes in the geometrical electrode area. This novel kind of material could present some interesting potentialities for a highly sensitive detection of others neurotransmitters.     

Nickel foam-based composite electrodes for electrooxidation of methanol

Nickel foam and five nickel foam-based composite electrodes were prepared for being used as anode materials for the electrooxidation of methanol in KOH solution containing 0.1 and 1.0 M of methanol. The layered electrodes composed of nickel foam, platinum nanoparticles, polyaniline (PANI) and/or porous carbon (C) prepared in various assemblies. As shown by SEM analysis, depending on the preparation conditions, the electrodes of different morphologies were obtained. Using the cyclic voltammetry method, the oxidation of methanol on nickel foam electrode was observed in the potential range 0.4 V ↔ 0.7 V, where the Ni(OH)₂/NiOOH transformation occurred. The presence of Pt particles in electrode gave rise to the increase in electrocatalytic activity in this potential range. For electrodes containing dispersed platinum catalyst (Ni/Pt, Ni/PANI/Pt and Ni/C/Pt), the oxidation of methanol was noted also in the potential range −0.5 V ↔ 0.1 V. The electrocatalytic activities of the examined electrodes toward methanol oxidation at low potentials were in order Ni/Pt > Ni/C/Pt > Ni/PANI/Pt, whereas at high potentials in order Ni/PANI/Pt > Ni/Pt> Ni/C/Pt > Ni. Among the examined electrodes, the most resistant to cyclic poisoning appeared to be the Ni/C/Pt electrode. Presented at the 4Th Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Greifswald, March 13–16, 2005     

Nickel oxide coated on ultrasonically pretreated carbon nanotubes for supercapacitor

Nickel oxide/carbon nanotubes (NiO/CNTs) composite materials for supercapacitor are prepared by chemically depositing nickel hydroxide onto carbon nanotubes pretreated by ultrasonication and followed by thermal annealing at 300 °C. A series of NiO/CNTs composites with different weight ratios of nickel oxide versus carbon nanotubes are synthesized via the same route. The high-resolution TEM and SEM results show that a lot of nicks, which favored the nucleation of the nickel hydroxide formed on the outer walls of carbon nanotubes due to ultrasonic cavitations, and then nickel oxide coated uniformly on the outer surface of the individual carbon nanotubes. The NiO/CNTs electrode presents a maximum specific capacitance of 523 F/g as well as a good cycle life during 1,000 cycles in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The good electrochemical characteristics of NiO/CNTs composite can be attributed to the three-dimensionally interconnected nanotubular structure with a thin film of electroactive materials.     

Preparation of cobalt-tetraphenylporphyrin/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite and its application on hydrogen peroxide biosensor

A novel cobalt-tetraphenylporphyrin/reduced graphene oxide (CoTPP/RGO) nanocomposite was prepared by a π–π stacking interaction and characterized by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CoTPP/RGO nanocomposite exhibited high electrocatalytic activity both for oxidation and reduction of H₂O₂. The current response was linear to H₂O₂ concentration with the concentration range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.4 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ (R = 0.998) at the reductive potential of −0.20 V and from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.6 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ (R = 0.996) at the oxidative potential of +0.50 V. The H₂O₂ biosensor showed good anti-interfering ability towards oxidative interferences at the oxidative potential of +0.50 V and good anti-interfering ability towards reductive interferences at the reductive potential of −0.20 V.     

Anodically electrodeposited Co+Ni mixed oxide electrode: preparation and electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution in alkaline media

Co+Ni mixed oxides on Ni substrate were prepared through anodic electrodeposition from Co(NO₃)₂ and Ni(NO₃)₂ aqueous solutions with five different Co²⁺/Ni²⁺ ratios beside only Co²⁺. By the electrochemical measurements, the optimum performance in electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media was obtained on the Co+Ni mixed oxide deposited from the solution containing Co²⁺/Ni²⁺ ratio of 1:1. The mixed oxide is corresponding to about 68 at% Co contents with spinel-type NiCo₂O₄ phase and porosity surface structure. The electrochemical kinetic parameters including exchange current density, Tafel slopes, reaction order with respect to [OH⁻] and standard electrochemical enthalpy of activation were analyzed also. A possible mechanism involving the formation of a physisorbed hydrogen peroxide intermediate in a slow electrochemical step was presented, which accounts for the values of the experimental results.     

电化学阴极沉积制备氧化镍/碳纳米管复合电极的准电容特性

A novel type of composite electrode based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes coated with nano nickel oxide particles has been used in supercapacitors. Nickel oxide cathodically deposited from Ni(NO3)2 solution with carbon nanotubes as the matrix exhibited large pseudocapacitance of 25F/g in 6 mol/L KOH. The morphology of composites was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). To characterize the CNTs/nickel oxide composite electrode, a charge discharge cycling test for measuring specific capacitance, cyclic voltammetry, and ac impedance test is executed. The nickel oxide composite exhibiting excellent pseudocapacitive behavior(i.e.high reversibility, high specific capacitance, and low self discharge rate) has been demonstrated to be a potential candidate for the application of electrochemical supercapacitors.     

Direct Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Cysteine and Cystine Based on Nafion/Lead Oxide‐Manganese Oxide Combined Catalyst

This article reports direct electrocatalytic oxidation of cysteine (CySH) and cystine (CyS‐SCy) at an inexpensive Nafion/lead oxide‐manganese oxide combined catalyst in physiological pH. The synthesized lead oxide‐manganese oxide material is simply mixed with Nafion in the form of cast solution and modified on a disposable screen‐printed carbon electrode (designated as SPE/Nf‐PMO) for biosensing application. Electrochemical study with a standard redox couple of quinone/hydroquinone demonstrates an enhanced current response at the combined catalyst compared to its individual component. Surface characterization further provides information regarding the structural morphology of the catalyst to its catalytic performance. Direct electrocatalytic oxidation signals are observed at +0.75 and +1.20 V vs. Ag/AgCl for cysteine and cystine, respectively, at the SPE/Nf‐PMO. To extend the applicability, we further apply the proposed system for the detection of cysteine and cystine by flow injection analysis (FIA). Under optimized conditions, the detection limit (S/N=3) is 0.43 μM and 0.33 μM for cysteine and cystine, respectively.     

一氧化氮在水杨醛谷氨酸合镍修饰碳黑微电极上的电催化氧化

制备了水杨醛谷氨酸合镍修饰碳黑微电极,试验了修饰电极对一氧化氮的电催化氧化性能。试验结果表明,在pH 6.8的磷酸盐中,一氧化氮在该电极上的线性范围为4.0×10-8~1.0×10-5mol.L-1;检出限(3σ)为1.0×10-8mol.L-1。将此电极用于3种模拟样品的分析,并在此基础作回收率试验,测得RSD(n=8)值在1.9%~2.8%之间,回收率在97%~105%之间。在一氧化氮浓度1.0×10-6mol.L-1的水平上进行精密度试验,测得RSD(n=10)为2.2%。     

Fabrication of highly catalytic silver nanoclusters/graphene oxide nanocomposite as nanotag for sensitive electrochemical immunoassay

Silver nanoclusters and graphene oxide nanocomposite (AgNCs/GRO) is synthesized and functionalized with detection antibody for highly sensitive electrochemical sensing of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a model tumor marker involved in many cancers. AgNCs with large surface area and abundant amount of low-coordinated sites are synthesized with DNA as template and exhibit high catalytic activity towards the electrochemical reduction of H₂O₂. GRO is employed to assemble with AgNCs because it has large specific surface area, super electronic conductivity and strong π-π stacking interaction with the hydrophobic bases of DNA, which can further improve the catalytic ability of the AgNCs. Using AgNCs/GRO as signal amplification tag, an enzyme-free electrochemical immunosensing protocol is designed for the highly sensitive detection of CEA on the capture antibody functionalized immunosensing interface. Under optimal conditions, the designed immunosensor exhibits a wide linear range from 0.1 pg mL⁻¹ to 100 ng mL⁻¹ and a low limit of detection of 0.037 pg mL⁻¹. Practical sample analysis reveals the sensor has good accuracy and reproducibility, indicating the great application prospective of the AgNCs/GRO in fabricating highly sensitive immunosensors, which can be extended to the detection of various kinds of low abundance disease related proteins.     

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of ordered mesoporous carbons containing nickel oxide nanoparticles using sucrose and nickel acetate in a silica template

New ordered mesoporous carbons containing nickel oxide nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by carbonization of sucrose in the presence of nickel acetate inside SBA-15 mesoporous silica template. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The NiO nanoparticles were embedded inside the mesoporous carbon framework due to the simultaneous pyrolysis of nickel acetate during carbonization. The electrochemical testing of the as-made nanocomposites showed a large specific capacitance of 230 F g⁻¹ using 2 M KOH as the electrolyte at room temperature. This is attributed to the nanometer-sized NiO formed inside mesoporous carbons and the high surface area of the mesopores in which the NiO nanoparticles are formed. Furthermore, the synthetic process is proposed as a simple and general method for the preparation of new functionalized mesoporous carbon materials, for various applications in catalysis, sensor or advanced electrode material.     

Two-dimensional copper oxide/zinc oxide nanoflakes with three-dimensional flower-like heterostructure enhanced with electrocatalytic activity toward nimesulide detection

The strategy of building two-dimensional (2D) metal oxide nanoflakes has inspired several innovations in different fields of application on account of its tremendous significance. It includes ultrathin planar surface, large charge carrier mobility, and tunable band structures, providing unprecedented features for sensing. Moreover, the intercalation of 2D dimensions to 3D superstructures will result in improved and dual advantages of both 2D/3D. The construction of 2D/3D copper oxide zinc oxide nanocomposite as electrode material for specific detection of nimesulide (NMS) is herein reported. The conversion of 2D CZ nanoflakes to 3D CZ microflowers was possibly achieved via the self-assembly process. This simple and cost-effective development of the CZ composite was characterized for evaluating the physical, chemical, and morphological properties. The highly crystalline nature of CZ was observed from powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The formation of 2D nanoflakes of CZ was strongly confirmed from field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. To verify the strong attachments, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy spectra were analyzed. Electrochemical sensing of NMS at CZ fabricated glassy carbon electrode reflects higher electrocatalytic activity with a linear range of NMS addition from 0.299 μM to 319.15 μM. The lower detection limit was about 0.005 μM with a sensitivity of 7.152 μAμM^?1 cm². The CZ nanocomposite will be more applicable for sensing several drugs with enriched active sites, higher conductivity, and large surface area raised from low-cost metal oxides when compared with highly conducting materials.     

镍氢氧化物修饰玻碳电极的制备及其电化学行为

采用一种新方法———镀膜/循环伏安法成功制备了镍氢氧化物修饰玻碳电极。考察了影响镍氢氧化物膜电催化活性的因素,确定最佳富集时间为2min,最佳富集电位为-1.4V。讨论了成膜过程及机理。膜氧化峰电流及催化氧化峰电流均受扩散控制。制得的镍氢氧化物膜修饰电极具有相当的稳定性,并对H2O2的电氧化表现出较高的电催化活性。该电极对H2O2响应的线性范围为1.71×10-5~1.33×10-2mol/L,检出限为2.86×10-6mol/L(S/N=3)。     

镍纳米线电极对乙醇的电催化氧化动力学参数的测定

循环伏安实验表明,以多孔氧化铝膜为模板制备出的镍纳米线电极对乙醇的电化学催化氧化具有很高的催化活性.用强制对流流体动力学的方法求算出乙醇在镍纳米线电极上的电子传递过程的速率常数高于许多文献报导值,而电子传递过程的随后步骤的速率常数相近.     

In situ Electrochemical Synthesis of a Composite Film Containing Nickel Hexacyanoferrate and Bentonite Clay for the Sensitive Determination of Acetaminophen and Dopamine

A composite film of nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) and bentonite (Bt) clay (abbreviated as NiHCF?Bt) is synthesized by an in situ electrochemical method. For this synthesis, nickel ions are immobilized on Bt clay by an ion‐exchange process, equilibrating Bt clay with nickel nitrate. On a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), the nickel ion‐exchanged Bt clay (Ni²⁺?Bt) is coated to get the modified electrode which is represented as GCE/Ni²⁺?Bt. The NiHCF?Bt composite film is prepared on the GCE surface using the GCE/Ni²⁺?Bt and scanning the electrode potentials between ?0.10 to 1.00 V continuously in an aqueous solution containing potassium hexacyanoferrate and potassium chloride. This NiHCF?Bt modified GCE (GCE/NiHCF?Bt) exhibits redox peaks due to the oxidation and reduction of the central metal ion, Fe²⁺. The electro‐generated Fe³⁺ present in the GCE/NiHCF?Bt, electrocatalytically oxidizes a range of drugs like acetaminophen (AC), dopamine (DA), and tyrosine (TY) at decreased overpotentials with high current. This property is advantageously used for the precise quantification of AC, DA, and TY. Sensitivity, limit of detection, and linear calibration range for the determination of AC are found to be 0.20 μA μM^?1 cm^?2, 1.5 μM, and 25.0–1000.0 μM, respectively. Further, the amount of AC present in pharmaceutical products is satisfactorily quantified which demonstrated the use of the NiHCF?Bt composite film in electroanalysis.     

Functionalised electrode array for the detection of nitric oxide released by endothelial cells using different NO-sensing chemistries

In a preliminary study aimed at developing strategies for the simultaneous detection of various biologically important molecules, a procedure is described that allows the electrochemical detection of nitric oxide (NO) released by a population of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by using an array of electrodes comprising three individually addressable electrodes. Each electrode in the array was modified with a different NO-sensitive electrocatalyst, thereby demonstrating the possibility of modifying the individual electrodes in an array with different sensing chemistries. This study opens a doorway to the development of arrays of electrodes for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a complex environment by suitably tailoring the sensitivity and selectivity of each electrode in the array to a specific analyte in the test medium.     

Nickel sulphide-reduced graphene oxide composites as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells: Influence of nickel chloride concentration

Nickel sulphide-reduced graphene oxide (NiS-rGO) composite films have been prepared via modified Hummers’s method assisted with spin coating technique. The NiS-rGO samples were then employed as counter electrode in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The main aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of NiCl₂ with the properties of NiS-rGO and performance parameters of the device. The dominant rGO and minor NiS phase exist in the composite. The morphology of the composite is white strips rGO and NiS agglomerate particle. The element of C, O, Ni and S present in the composite. The highest η of 1.04% and J_sc of 7.39 mA cm⁻² were obtained from the device with 0.06 M NiCl₂ resulted from the longest carrier lifetime. The photovoltaic parameters results reveal that NiS-rGO composite has potential to become as a free platinum counter electrode of DSSC.