Dopamine Electroanalysis Using Electrochemical Biosensors Prepared by a Sinusoidal Voltages Method

A biocomposite material of tyrosinase and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) was electrodeposited onto gold (Au) disk microelectrode arrays and Au interdigitated microband electrode arrays (IDEs) by using a combination of sinusoidal voltages and microgravimetric method to construct amperometric biosensors for dopamine (DA). The main advantage of this new strategy consists in a reliable enzyme immobilization and in additional information related to the electropolymerization process. The determination of DA was successfully achieved in pharmaceutical formulations. The best analytical performances, in terms of the lowest limit of detection of 6×10^?7 M DA and highest recovery and stability, were obtained for IDEs based biosensor.     

Electroanalysis of Norepinephrine at Bare Gold Electrode Pure and Modified with Gold Nanoparticles and S‐Functionalized Self‐Assembled Layers in Aqueous Solution. Part II

Gold electrodes modified with S‐containing compounds and gold were used for determination of norepinephrine (NEP) in aqueous solution. A linear relationship between norepinephrine concentration and current response was obtained in the range of 0.1 µM to 600 µM with the detection limit ≤0.090 µM for the electrodes modified at 2D template and in the range of 0.1 µM to 700 µM with the detection limit ≤0.075 µM for the electrodes modified at 3D template. The results have shown that modified electrodes could clearly resolve the oxidation peaks of norepinephrine, ascorbic (AA) and uric acid (UA) with peak‐to‐peak separation enabling determination of NEP, AA and UA in the presence of each other.     

Biosensor Based on Self‐Assembling Glucose Oxidase and Dendrimer‐Encapsulated Pt Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes for Glucose Detection

A novel amperometric glucose biosensor based on layer‐by‐layer (LbL) electrostatic adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOx) and dendrimer‐encapsulated Pt nanoparticles (Pt‐DENs) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was described. Anionic GOx was immobilized on the negatively charged CNTs surface by alternatively assembling a cationic Pt‐DENs layer and an anionic GOx layer. Transmission electron microscopy images and ζ‐potentials proved the formation of layer‐by‐layer nanostructures on carboxyl‐functionalized CNTs. LbL technique provided a favorable microenvironment to keep the bioactivity of GOx and prevent enzyme molecule leakage. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of CNTs and Pt‐DENs toward H₂O₂ and special three‐dimensional structure of the enzyme electrode resulted in good characteristics such as a low detection limit of 2.5 μM, a wide linear range of 5 μM–0.65 mM, a short response time (within 5 s), and high sensitivity (30.64 μA mM^?1 cm^?2) and stability (80% remains after 30 days).     

Electrochemical Behavior of Gold Nanoparticles Generated In Situ on 3‐(1‐Imidazolyl)propyl‐silsesquioxane

Gold nanoparticles of different morphologies have been synthesized on a silica‐based organic‐inorganic hybrid material for catalytic applications. The gold nanoparticles formations proceed through in situ chemical reduction of the AuCl₄^? anions previously adsorbed on 3‐(1‐imidazolyl)propyl‐silsesquioxane, which plays the role of substrate and stabilizer. Two distinct reducing agents, sodium citrate and sodium borohydride, were employed to generate gold nanoparticles of different sizes. UV‐vis diffuse reflectance as well as transmission electron microscopy were employed to evaluate the particle’s morphology. Modified carbon paste electrodes were prepared from these materials and their electrochemical behavior investigated using potassium ferrocyanide and 4‐nitrophenol as redox model compounds. Both AuNPs‐modified electrodes decreased the overpotential of 4‐nitrophenol reduction by around 90 mV compared to the unmodified electrode as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry experiment. However, the smaller diameter particles (borohydride‐reduced) produced more significant catalytic effect as a consequence of their large surface area. Regarding the sensing parameters, the sensitivity is higher for the borohydride‐reduced AuNPs while the values of limit of detection are of the same order of magnitude. Thus, the detection limit and sensitivity are 70.0±0.6 nM and 187 µA/mM for the citrate‐reduced AuNPs; and 75.0±2.2 nM and 238 µA/mM for the borohydride‐reduced AuNPs.     

Electrodeposition of PdAu Alloy Nanoparticles on Ionic Liquid Functionalized Graphene Film for the Voltammetric Determination of Oxalic Acid

An ionic liquid functionalized graphene film was prepared and PdAu nanoparticles (NPs) were electrodeposited on it. The PdAu NPs were characterized by various methods and they showed the features of alloys. In 0.2 M H₂SO₄ solution, oxalic acid (OA) exhibited a sensitive anodic peak at the resulting electrode at about 1.1 V (vs. SCE), and the peak current was linear to OA concentration in the range of 5–100 µM with a sensitivity of 45.5 µA/mM. The detection limit was 2.7 µM (S/N=3). The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of OA in real sample.     

Gold Surface Functionalization with S‐containing Organic Compounds and Gold Nanoparticles for Ethylene Glycol Electrooxidation

In this work a gold electrode modified with self‐assembled layers (SAMs) composed with organic S‐containing compound and gold nanoparticles was prepared. The electrode with SAMs endowed with gold nanoparticles gave the high catalytic effect for ethylene glycol (EG) electrooxidation in solution at pH 7. For this novel sensor a linear relationship between the current response of EG at the potential of peak maximum (j_p) and the concentration of this compound in solution (c_EG) was found over the range 0.1 µM to 0.7 M with the detection sensitivity j_p/c_EG equal to about 5 A cm^?2 mol^?1 dm³ (at v=0.1 V s^?1) and the detection limit of 0.046 µM.     

Gold Electrode Modified with Self‐Assembled Monolayer of Cysteamine‐Functionalized MWCNT and Its Application in Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine and Uric Acid

The voltammetric behavior of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) on a gold electrode modified with self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of cysteamine (CA) conjugated with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated. The film modifier of functionalized SAM was characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and also, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using para‐hydroquinone (PHQ) as a redox probe. For the binary mixture of DA and UA, the voltammetric signals of these two compounds can be well separated from each other, allowing simultaneous determination of DA and UA. The effect of various experimental parameters on the voltammetric responses of DA and UA was investigated. The detection limit in differential pulse voltammetric determinations was obtained as 0.02 µM and 0.1 µM for DA and UA, respectively. The prepared modified electrode indicated a stable behavior and the presence of surface COOH groups of the functionalized MWCNT avoided the passivation of the electrode surface during the electrode processes. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of DA and UA in urine samples with satisfactory results. The response of the gold electrode modified with MWCNT‐functionalized SAM method toward DA, UA, and ascorbic acid (AA) oxidation was compared with the response of the modified electrode prepared by the direct casting of MWCNT.     

Sensitive Biosensors Based on (Dendrimer Encapsulated Pt Nanoparticles)/Enzyme Multilayers

A sensitive enzymed‐based biosensor for glucose has been obtained by introducing dendrimer encapsulated Pt nanoparticles via a layer‐by‐layer assembling method. The free amine groups located on each poly(amidoamine) dendrimer molecule were exploited to covalently attach enzyme to the dendrimer chains using carbodiimide coupling. The resultant enzyme electrodes are shown to have excellent sensitivity (as high as 30.33 μA mM^?1 cm^?2) and a limit of detection (about 0.1 μmol L^?1), depending on metal nanoparticles within dendrimers and the biocompatibility of dendrimers, the linear response range to glucose (from 5 μM to 1.0 mM), a fast response time (within 5 s), and good reproducibility (<8% relative standard deviation between electrodes at low substrate concentration). The sensitivities, and stabilities determined experimentally have demonstrated the potential of dendrimer encapsulated Pt nanoparticles as a novel candidate for enzymatic glucose biosensors.     

Electrochemical Design of Ultrathin Palladium Coated Gold Nanoparticles as Nanostructured Catalyst for Amperometric Detection of Formaldehyde

An underpotential deposition (UPD) replacement tactic was employed to design a Pd overlayer on gold (Au) nanoparticles electrodeposited on a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE). Pd/Au/CILE was applied as an amperometric sensor for the determination of formaldehyde in aqueous solutions. The sensor displayed two linear ranges from 15 µM–1.4 mM and 1.4–56.7 mM of formaldehyde. The limit of detection was 3 µM of formaldehyde and the sensitivity of the sensor was 2.35 µA mM^?1, using the calibration graph in the lower range. The presence of 20 mM of formic acid and methanol and 10 mM ethanol did not interfere with the determination of formaldehyde solution.     

Label‐Free Electrochemical Aptasensor for Determination of Chloramphenicol Based on Gold Nanocubes‐Modified Screen‐Printed Gold Electrode

An ultrasensitive label‐free electrochemical aptasensor was developed for selective detection of chloramphenicol (CAP). The aptasensor was made using screen‐printed gold electrode modified with synthesized gold nanocube/cysteine. The interactions of CAP with aptamer were studied by cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry (SWV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under optimized conditions, two linear calibration curves were obtained for CAP determination using SWV technique, from 0.03 to 0.10 µM and 0.25–6.0 µM with a detection limit of 4.0 nM. The aptasensor has the advantages of good selectivity and stability and applied to the determination of CAP in human blood serum sample.     

Fabrication of Bienzymatic Glucose Biosensor Based on Novel Gold Nanoparticles‐Bacteria Cellulose Nanofibers Nanocomposite

An exploration of gold nanoparticles–bacterial cellulose nanofibers (Au‐BC) nanocomposite as a platform for amperometric determination of glucose is presented. Two enzymes, glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were immobilized in Au‐BC nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode at the same time. A sensitive and fast amperometric response to glucose was observed in the presence of electron mediator (HQ). Both of GOx and HRP kept their biocatalytic activities very well in Au‐BC nanocomposite. The detection limit for glucose in optimized conditions was as low as 2.3 µM with a linear range from 10 µM to 400 µM. The biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of glucose in human blood samples.     

A Novel L‐Cysteine Electrochemical Sensor Using Sulfonated Graphene‐poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene) Composite Film Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles

By exploiting the electrostatic interaction between positively charged 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene cation radicals and negatively charged sulfonated graphene (SG) sheets, we prepared a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐sulfonated graphene (SG‐PEDOT) composite film by a one‐step electrochemical process. The composite was further decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and employed as an electrode material for the detection of L ‐cysteine (Cys). The SG‐PEDOT composite film is shown to provide a rough surface for the electrodeposition of AuNPs and to improve substrate accessibility and interaction with Cys. Moreover, the AuNPs‐decorated composite exhibits better electrocatalytic performance than that of a SG‐PEDOT composite only. Under optimum experimental conditions, the amperometric current of the sensor is linearly related to the concentration of Cys in the 0.1 to 382 µM range, and the detection limit is 0.02 µM (at S/N=3). The modified electrode displays favorable selectivity, good stability and high reproducibility. The method was successfully applied to the detection of Cys in spiked human urine.     

A Non‐Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Carbon Nanotube/Self‐Doped Polyaniline Hollow Spheres

In this study, a novel non‐enzymatic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor was fabricated based on gold nanoparticles/carbon nanotube/self‐doped polyaniline (AuNPs/CNTs/SPAN) hollow spheres modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). SPAN was in‐site polymerized on the surface of SiO₂ template, then AuNPs and CNTs were decorated by electrostatic absorption via poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). After the SiO₂ cores were removed, hollow AuNPs/CNTs/SPAN spheres were obtained and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The electrochemical catalytic performance of the hollow AuNPs/CNTs/SPAN/GCE for H₂O₂ detection was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry. Using chronoamperometric method at a constant potential of ?0.1 V (vs. SCE), the H₂O₂ sensor displays two linear ranges: one from 5 µM to 0.225 mM with a sensitivity of 499.82 µA mM^?1 cm^?2; another from 0.225 mM to 8.825 mM with a sensitivity of 152.29 µA mM^?1 cm^?2. The detection limit was estimated as 0.4 µM (signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3). The hollow AuNPs/CNTs/SPAN/GCE also demonstrated excellent stability and selectivity against interferences from other electroactive species. The sensor was further applied to determine H₂O₂ in disinfectant real samples.     

Protein‐Directed In Situ Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles on Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Electrode for Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensing

A novel nonenzymatic glucose sensor was developed based on well‐dispersed gold nanoparticles, which were in situ grown under direction of protein on a reduced graphene oxide modified electrode. This electrode exhibited high electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation without use of any enzyme or mediator. In application for the amperometric detection of glucose, a wide linear range of 0.02–16.6 mM, low detection limit of 5 µM and good selectivity were obtained. The attractive analytical performances of the proposed glucose sensor, coupled with the facile preparation method, provide a promising electrochemical platform for the development of effective nonenzymatic sensors.     

Improved Performance of an Amperometric Biosensor with Polydiaminonaphthalene on Electrochemically Deposited Au Nanoparticles

The performance of an enzyme sensor fabricated through covalent bond formation on the HRP‐bonded poly(1,8‐diaminonaphthalene) (polyDAN) layer with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was applied to catalyze the electrochemical reduction of H₂O₂. The surface characteristics of the sensor probe were studied using cyclic voltammetry, SEM, XPS, QCM, and impedance spectroscopy. The AuNP‐deposited surface resulted in higher conductivity and sensitivity for H₂O₂ detection in phosphate buffer solution. A linear calibration plot was obtained in the H₂O₂ concentration range between 10.0 μM and 25.0 mM with detection limit 5.0±1.25 μM. The lifetime of HRP/polyDAN/AuNP/GC probe was over 70 days without response loss.     

Selective and Simultaneous Determination of Dihydroxybenzene Isomers Based on Green Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide

In the present study, we report the simultaneous electrochemical determination of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC) and resorcinol (RC) at gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs) decorated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) modified electrode. An enhanced and well defined peak current response with a better peak separation of HQ, CC and RC is observed at RGO/Au‐NPs composite than that of RGO and Au‐NPs modified electrodes. The fabricated modified electrode shows a wide linear response in the concentration range of 3–90 µM, 3–300 µM and 15–150 µM for HQ, CC and RC, respectively. The detection limit of HQ, CC and RC is found as 0.15 µM, 0.12 µM and 0.78 µM, respectively.     

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.     

Immunosensors Based on Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐Assembled Au Colloidal Electrode for the Electrochemical Detection of Antigen

Colloidal Au particles have been deposited on the gold electrode through layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly using cysteamine as cross‐linkers. Self‐assembly of colloidal Au on the gold electrode resulted in an easier attachment of antibody, larger electrode surface and ideal electrode behavior. The redox reactions of [Fe(CN)₆]^4?/[Fe(CN)₆]^3? on the gold surface were blocked due to antibody immobilization, which were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The interaction of antigen with grafted antibody recognition layers was carried out by soaking the modified electrode into a phosphate buffer at pH 7.0 with various concentrations of antigen at 37 °C for 30 min. Further, an amplification strategy to use biotin conjugated antibody was introduced for improving the sensitivity of impedance measurements. Thus, the sensor based on this immobilization method exhibits a large linear dynamic range, from 5–400 μg/L for detection of Human IgG. The detection limit is about 0.5 μg/L.     

Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin on Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Based Electrodes Modified with Au Nanoparticles and SiO2 Gel

Here we report on the preparation and characterization of new electrodes based on aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) for hemoglobin (Hb) electrochemistry and electrocatalysis. The ACNTs are obtained by a thermal chemical vapor deposition method under normal pressure. Then the electrodes are elaborated by first sputtering a thin Au film (thickness of 200 nm) onto the top of the ACNTs, and then removing the Au layer/ACNTs from the quartz substrate with the aide of hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) demonstrates that after nitric acid (HNO₃) treatment, the nanotubes of the removed Au layer are totally tip‐opened, purified and organized in a perfect vertically aligned architecture. The final ACNTs electrode is obtained by attaching the Au layer of ACNTs onto a glassy carbon electrode. Then the electrode was modified to act as a matrix for hemoglobin (Hb) immobilization and as an electrode for Hb electroanalysis by the assistance of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and SiO₂ gel. Due to the individual specific effects of AuNPs, SiO₂ gel and ACNTs, the resulting SiO₂/Hb‐AuNPs/ACNTs electrode showed good direct electrochemistry of Hb with an apparent Michaelis? Menten constant of 0.44 mM. The electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards H₂O₂, possessing a linear range from 40 µM to 4 mM and the detection limit was 22 µM based on a signal to noise ratio of 3.     

Novel Amperometric Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on Horseradish Peroxidase Azide Covalently Immobilized on Ethynyl‐Modified Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode via Click Chemistry

A novel, simple and versatile protocol for covalent immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) based on the combination of diazonium salt electrografting and click chemistry has been successfully developed. The ethynyl‐terminated monolayers are obtained by diazonium salt electrografting, then, in the presence of copper (I) catalyst, the ethynyl modified surfaces reacted efficiently and rapidly with horseradish peroxidase bearing an azide function (azido‐HRP), thus forming a covalent 1,2,3‐triazole linkage by means of click chemistry. All the experimental results suggested that HRP was immobilized onto the electrode surface successfully without denaturation. Furthermore, the immobilized HRP showed a fast electrocatalytic reduction for H₂O₂. A linear range from 5.0 to 50.0 µM in a phosphate buffer (pH 5.5) with detection limit of 0.50 µM and sensitivity of 0.23 nA/µM were obtained. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant K_ct was 1.52±0.22 s^?1 and the apparent Michaelis? Menten constant was calculated to be 0.028 mM. The HRP‐functionalized electrode demonstrated a good reproducibility and long‐term stability.