Cu and Ni Nanoparticles Deposited on ITO Electrode for Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Carbohydrates Sensor Applications

A novel non‐enzymatic carbohydrates sensor which was an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass electrode modified by nickel and copper nanoparticles (Cu/Ni/ITO) was developed by an electrochemical method. The crystallinity, morphology, electrochemical measurements and amperometric response of the as‐prepared ITO modified electrode were examined by the X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry, respectively. The Cu/Ni/ITO electrode had better electroactivity for glucose oxidation than that obtained using Cu/ITO, Ni/ITO, and Ni/Cu/ITO. The logistic regression equation, I_pa = (A ₁ – A ₂)/[1 + (C_glucose /x ₀)^p ] + A ₂, was used to fit the calibration curves of glucose aqueous solution concentrations and responsive current intensity. In research of other saccharides, such as fructose, lactose, sucrose, and maltose, which were detected by the Cu/Ni/ITO electrode, it was obvious that the Cu/Ni/ITO electrode was more sensitive to monosaccharides than disaccharides. Monosaccharides and disaccharides can be detected because the saccharides themselves had aldehyde group or be isomerized to an isomer having an aldehyde group in alkaline environment, and then aldehyde group produced carboxylic acid in the catalytic oxidation of the electrode, which lead to the change of electrode surface conductivity and the appearance of oxidation peak, and the alkaline environment further promotes the above reaction.     

Cyclic Voltammetrically‐Prepared MnO2 Coated on an ITO Glass Substrate

For the first time, nanostructured manganese dioxide was successfully electrodeposited onto an ITO (indium tin oxide) glass substrate by cyclic voltammetry (CV) method from an aqueous solution of 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ containing 5 × 10⁻³ M MnSO₄. The obtained manganese dioxide‐modified ITO glass substrates were characterized by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. All results not only proved the existence of MnO₂ on an ITO glass substrate but also demonstrated that the morphology of the obtained MnO₂ was greatly affected by the electrodeposition conditions. Also, this MnO₂‐modified ITO electrode was systematically investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in an aqueous electrolyte of 0.1 M Na₂SO₄. The results obtained from electrochemical measurement indicated that this developed MnO₂‐modified ITO electrode has a satisfied specific capacitance value of 264 F·g⁻¹ and exhibits excellent electrochemical stability and reversibility.     

Detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds in artificial sea-water using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

This paper reports an accurate synthesis of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrates, based on gold colloidal monolayer, suitable for in situ environmental analysis. Quartz substrates were functionalized by silanization with (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPMS) or (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) and they subsequently reacted with colloidal suspension of gold metal nanoparticles: respectively, the functional groups SH and NH₂ bound gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical reduction of HAuCl₄ using sodium tricitrate and immobilized onto silanized quartz substrates. Active substrate surface morphology was characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements and gold nanoparticles presented a diameter in the range 40-100 nm. Colloidal hydrophobic films, allowing nonpolar molecule pre-concentration, were obtained. The surfaces exhibit strong enhancement of Raman scattering from molecules adsorbed on the films. Spectra were recorded for two PAHs, naphthalene and pyrene, in artificial sea-water (ASW) with limits of detection (LODs) of 10 ppb for both on MPMS silanized substrates.     

Preparation of a Novel NH2 + Ion Implantation Modified Electrode and Its Study of the Electrochemical Behavior of Hemoglobin

Abstract

A novel functional electrode was obtained by implanting NH₂ ⁺ into ITO film (NH₂/ITO) for the first time. The NH₂/ITO surface showed a better affinity to gold nanoparticles than bare ITO. Gold nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of NH₂/ITO electrode (Au/NH₂/ITO). The Au/NH₂/ITO and NH₂/ITO electrodes were used to observe the electrochemical behavior of Hemoglobin (Hb) immobilized on the electrodes surfaces. The peak current value of Hb immobilized on NH₂/ITO increased compared with on bare ITO while peak current value of Hb immobilized on Au/NH₂/ITO increased compared with on Au/ITO. Linkage between the ‐NH₂ implanted into the ITO film and the ‐COOH of Hb was thought to be the reason for the increase of active Hb coverage on NH₂/ITO compared with bare ITO. Increase of active Hb coverage on Au/NH₂/ITO compare with Au/ITO was attributed to the different amount of gold nanoparticles deposited. Results showed the novel NH₂/ITO and Au/NH₂/ITO electrodes exhibited good stability, reproducibility besides selectivity and sensitivity. The electrode process of Hb immobilized on Au/NH₂/ITO was quasi‐reversible with adsorption. The electrode reaction rate constant k_s and other related constants were determined. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and impedance spectra were used to characterize the different surfaces.     

Morphology,Structure, and Dynamics of Pentacene Thin Films and Their Nanocomposites with [C2C1im][NTf2] and [C2C1im][OTF] Ionic Liquids

In this study, a homogeneous thin film growth of pentacene onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass surfaces is explored using a high-resolution and reproducible vapor deposition methodology. Moreover, vacuum thermal evaporation of ionic liquids (ILs) ([C₂C₁im][NTf₂] and [C₂C₁im][OTF]) onto ITO, gold/palladium (AuPd) and pentacene surfaces were performed. A greater wettability behavior of ILs is observed for surfaces containing AuPd. Sequential and simultaneous depositions of ILs and pentacene were explored. Simultaneous depositions lead to the formation of nanocomposites films, consisting of IL micro- and nanodroplets covered by pentacene layers. Plasma surface treatment was used to induce the ILs droplets coalescence and explore the dynamics and phase separation of the nanocomposites. The [C₂C₁im][OTF] droplets were found to be completely covered with pentacene, which suggests a great affinity between cation-anion pairs and the aromatic moiety. Pentacene films and their nanocomposites with ILs exhibit a typical optical band gap of E_gap=1.77 eV, indicating that the nanocomposite phase domains are large enough to behavior as the bulk.     

Peptide Conjugates for Directing the Morphology and Assembly of 1D Nanoparticle Superstructures

Designed peptide conjugates molecules are used to direct the synthesis and assembly of gold nanoparticles into complex 1D nanoparticle superstructures with various morphologies. Four peptide conjugates, each based on the gold‐binding peptide (AYSSGAPPMPPF; PEP_Au), are prepared: C₁₂H₂₃O‐AYSSGAPPMPP ( 1 ), C₁₂H₂₃O‐AYSSGAPPMPPF ( 2 ), C₁₂H₂₃O‐AYSSGAPPMPPFF ( 3 ), and C₁₂H₂₃O‐AYSSGAPPMPPFFF ( 4 ). The affect that C‐terminal hydrophobic F residues have on both the soft‐assembly of the peptide conjugates and the resulting assembly of gold nanoparticle superstructures is examined. It is shown that the addition of two C‐terminal F residues ( 3 ) leads to thick, branched 1D gold nanoparticle superstructures, whereas the addition of three C‐terminal F residues ( 4 ) leads to bundling of thin 1D nanoparticle superstructures.     

Enzyme immobilisation on electroactive nanostructured membranes (ENM): optimised architectures for biosensing

Electroactive nanostructured membranes have been produced by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique, and used to make electrochemical enzyme biosensors for glucose by modification with cobalt hexacyanoferrate redox mediator and immobilisation of glucose oxidase enzyme. Indium tin oxide (ITO) glass electrodes were modified with up to three bilayers of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers containing gold nanoparticles and poly(vinylsulfonate) (PVS). The gold nanoparticles were covered with cobalt hexacyanoferrate that functioned as a redox mediator, allowing the modified electrode to be used to detect H₂O₂, the product of the oxidase enzymatic reaction, at 0.0 V vs. SCE. Enzyme was then immobilised by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Several parameters for optimisation of the glucose biosensor were investigated, including the number of deposited bilayers, the enzyme immobilisation protocol and the concentrations of immobilised enzyme and of the protein that was crosslinked with PAMAM. The latter was used to provide glucose oxidase with a friendly environment, in order to preserve its bioactivity. The optimised biosensor, with three bilayers, has high sensitivity and operational stability, with a detection limit of 6.1 μM and an apparent Michaelis–Menten constant of 0.20 mM. It showed good selectivity against interferents and is suitable for glucose measurements in natural samples.     

Dual detection strategy for electrochemical analysis of glucose and nitrite using a partitionally modified electrode

A dual-region modified electrode was designed and fabricated by means of partitioned electrodeposition of gold and platinum nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive glass for dual-component electrochemical detection. The two differently modified regions were assigned to detect two analytes, separately and simultaneously. The gold nanoparticle modified ITO region (AuNPs/ITO) was used for glucose detection while the platinum nanoparticle modified ITO region (PtNPs/ITO) for nitrite detection. The glucose oxidation peak current at 0.10 V on AuNPs/ITO exhibited a linear dependence on the concentration of glucose and was used to determine the concentration of glucose in dual-detection. The nitrite reduction peak current at PtNPs/ITO showed a nonlinear dependence on the concentration of nitrite. A theoretical model combining the adsorption-controlled and the mass-transfer-controlled kinetics was proposed to quantitatively describe the nonlinear behavior. Though the presence of glucose interfered with the electrochemical detection of nitrite, it was demonstrated that the influence of glucose on nitrite detection can be corrected. On the basis of the proposed theoretical model, the simultaneous dual-detection of glucose and nitrite was accomplished at ITO electrodes partitionally modified with AuNPs and PtNPs.     

Detailed Structural Examinations of Covalently Immobilized Gold Nanoparticles onto Hydrogen‐Terminated Silicon Surfaces

The modification of flat semiconductor surfaces with nanoscale materials has been the subject of considerable interest. This paper provides detailed structural examinations of gold nanoparticles covalently immobilized onto hydrogen‐terminated silicon surfaces by a convenient thermal hydrosilylation to form Si? C bonds. Gold nanoparticles stabilized by ω‐alkene‐1‐thiols with different alkyl chain lengths (C₃, C₆, and C₁₁), with average diameters of 2–3 nm and a narrow size distribution were used. The thermal hydrosilylation reactions of these nanoparticles with hydrogen‐terminated Si(111) surfaces were carried out in toluene at various conditions under N₂. The obtained modified surfaces were observed by high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR‐SEM). The obtained images indicate considerable changes in morphology with reaction time, reaction temperature, as well as the length of the stabilizing ω‐alkene‐1‐thiol molecules. These surfaces are stable and can be stored under ambient conditions for several weeks without measurable decomposition. It was also found that the aggregation of immobilized particles on a silicon surface occurred at high temperature (> 100 °C). Precise XPS measurements of modified surfaces were carried out by using a Au–S ligand‐exchange technique. The spectrum clearly showed the existence of Si? C bonds. Cross‐sectional HR‐TEM images also directly indicate that the particles were covalently attached to the silicon surface through Si? C bonds.     

Regioselective Bridging Calix[6]arenes: Synthesis and X-ray Structure of Trisbridged Calix[6]arene

The preparation and characterization of gold nanoparticles (～6 nm in diameter) modified with mono-6-thio-β-cyclodextrin (II) is described. The resulting monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles are water-soluble and more stable. The concentration of II plays a crucial role for the distribution of the modified nanoparticles. When the ratio of concentration of II to HAuCl₄,[II]/[HAuCl₄] ≥ 0.93, a stable gold nanoparticle with uniform distribution and diameter of 6.0 ± 0.9 nm will be obtained. The recognition of modified gold nanoparticles to organic guest molecule is researched. The modified gold nanoparticles can make the electrochemical reduction current of nitrobenzene decrease and can be self-assembled in three-dimensional to form spherical clusters with ligand of methylene green.     

Addition of sulfur radicals to fullerenes

The addition of oxygen‐centered radicals to fullerenes has been intensively studied due to their role in cell protection against against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage. However, the analogous reaction of sulfur‐centered radicals has been largely overlooked. Herein, we investigate the addition of S‐centered radicals to C₅₀, C₆₀, C₇₀, and C₁₀₀ fullerenes by means of DFT calculations. The radicals assayed were: S, SH, SCH₃, SCH₂CH₃, SC₆H₅, SCH₂C₆H₅, and the open‐disulfide SCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂S. Sulfur, the most reactive species, prefers to be attached to a 66‐bond of C₆₀ with a binding energy (E_bind) of 2.4 eV. For the SR radicals the electronic binding energies to C₆₀ are 0.77, 0.74, 0.58, 0.67, and 0.35 eV for SH, SCH₃, SCH₂CH₃, SCH₂C₆H₅, and SC₆H₅, respectively. The reactivity of C₆₀ toward SR radicals can be increased by lithium doping. For Li@C₆₀, the E_bind is increased by 0.65 eV with respect to C₆₀, but only by 0.33 eV for the exohedral doping. Fullerenes act like free radical sponges. Indeed, the C₆₀‐SR E_bind can be duplicated if two radicals are added in ortho or para positions. The enhanced reactivity because of multiple additions is mostly a local effect, although the addition of one radical makes the whole cage more reactive. Therefore, as observed for hydroxylated fullerenes, they should protect cells from oxidative damage. However, the thiolated fullerenes have one advantage, they can be easily attached to gold nanoparticles. For the addition on pentagon junctions smaller fullerenes like C₅₀ are more reactive than C₆₀. Interestingly, C₇₀ is as reactive as C₆₀, even for the addition on the equatorial belt. For larger fullerenes like C₁₀₀, reactivity decreases for the carbon atoms belonging to hexagon junctions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Electrochemical growth of two-dimensional gold nanostructures on a thin polypyrrole film modified ITO electrode

Two-dimensional gold nanostructures have been fabricated by electrochemical deposition of gold nanoparticles onto indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate modified with thin polypyrrole film. By controlling the electrodeposition conditions, gold nanoparticles with dendritic rod, sheet, flower-like (consisting of staggered nanosheets), and pinecone-like structures were generated. The flower-like gold nanoparticles showed high catalytic activity on electrochemical reduction of oxygen, and its activity was measured to be approximately 25 times that of gold pinecones and 10(4) times that of gold nanosheets in terms of gold weight. The pinecone-like nanoparticles can form a compact film with nano-/microscale binary structure like a lotus leaf surface. After modification with n-dodecanethiol, the surface showed superhydrophobic properties with a water contact angle of 153.4 degrees and a tilt angle of 4.4 degrees (5 microL droplet).     

TiO2 Nanoparticles Produced by Electric-Discharge-Nanofluid-Process as Photoelectrode of DSSC

Self-made TiO₂ nanoparticles were used as photoelectrode material of dye sensitized solar cell. The TiO₂ thin film coats through spreading nanoparticles evenly onto the ITO glass via self-made spin-heat platform, and then TiO₂ thin film is soaked in the dye N-719 more than 12 h to prepare the photoelectrode device. The TiO₂ nanoparticles produced by electric-discharge-nanofluid-process have premium anatase crystal property, and its diameter can be controlled within a range of 20-50 nm. The surface energy zeta potential of nanofluid is from -22 mV to -28.8 mV, it is a stable particle suspension in the deionized water. A trace of surfactant Triton X-100 put upon the surface of ITO glass can produce a uniform and dense TiO₂ thin film and heating up the spin platform to 200 oC is able to eliminate mixed surfac-tant. Self-made TiO₂ film presents excellent dye absorption performance and even doesn't need heat treatment procedure to enhance essential property. Results of energy analysis show the thicker film structure will increase the short-circuit current density that causes higher conversion efficiency. But, as the film structure is large and thick, both the open-circuit voltage and fill factor will decline gradually to lead bad efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell.     

Detection of ozone gas using gold nanoislands and surface plasmon resonance

Gold nanoislands interact with gaseous ozone to produce a surface plasmon resonance shift, similarly to the interaction of ozone and gold nanoparticles in water. Gold nanoislands are produced by sputtering, which significantly simplifies the synthesis and produces controlled size for the gold nanoislands. The shift of surface plasmon resonance peak was monitored while gold nanoislands were exposed to variable concentration of gaseous ozone. The shift was then correlated with ozone concentration. Our current results indicate sensing gaseous ozone at concentration of as low as 20 μg/L is achievable. Gold nanoislands were reversed to their original wavelength and were able to cycle between the wavelengths as ozone was introduced and removed. Potentially, this system can be useful as a sensor that identifies the presence of ozone at low part-per-billion concentrations of ozone in gaseous media.     

Chemisorption of thiol‐functionalized metallocene molecules on Si(111)‐ Ag√3×√3 surface: A density functional theory study

Herein, chemical adsorption properties of the thiol‐functionalized metallocene molecules [M(C₅H₄SH)₂] on Si(111)‐Ag√3×√3 surface were investigated using density functional theory calculation. For this purpose, thiol‐modified ferrocene [Fe(C₅H₄SH)₂], osmocene [Os(C₅H₄SH)₂], and ruthenocene [Ru(C₅H₄SH)₂] molecules were attached on the surface via two different binding models. The more favorable chemical binding energies of [Fe(C₅H₄SH)₂], [Os(C₅H₄SH)₂], and [Ru(C₅H₄SH)₂] molecules were calculated as ?3.42, ?2.15, and ?2.00 eV, respectively. The results showed that the adsorption energies of metallocene molecules change independently by increasing the radius of metal ions where on going down the group of the periodic table. The calculated adsorption energies showed that [Fe(C₅H₄SH)₂] molecule was more stable on the Si(111)‐Ag√3×√3 surface. By calculating the electronic band structure for metallocene/Si(111)‐Ag√3×√3 surfaces, we identified a flat dispersion band in a part of the surface Brillouin zone. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Electrocatalytic Behavior and Amperometric Detection of Morphine on ITO Electrode Modified with Directly Electrodeposited Gold Nanoparticles

A gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified indium tin oxide (ITO) film coated glass electrode was prepared via a novel electrochemical deposition technique. The UV‐visible spectrum and SEM indicated that the AuNPs on ITO electrode surface were spherical shape and quite symmetric distributed. The modified electrode exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the oxidation of morphine (MO). At optimal experimental condition, the oxidation current was responsive with the MO concentrations ranging from 8.0×10^?7 to 1.6×10^?5 M, the detection limit was 2.1×10 ^–7 M. The modified electrode also exhibited high stability and reproducibility. The average recoveries of detection MO in human urine were ranged between 91.95% and 92.23%, and the RSD was less than 3.68% (n=5).     

Hydrocarbon adsorption on gold clusters: Experiment and quantum chemical modeling

Heats of adsorption Q of n-alkanes C₆–C₉ on ZrO₂ modified with gold and nickel nanoparticles were determined experimentally. The Q values were found to be higher on average by 7 kJ/mol on the modified samples as compared to the pure support. Density functional theory with the PBE functional and the pseudopotential for gold effectively allowing for relativistic corrections was used to model the adsorption of saturated hydrocarbons on Au and Au + Ni, as exemplified by the interaction of alkanes C₁–C₃ with Au _m , Au _{m − 1}Ni (m = 3, 4, 5) clusters as well as the interaction of C₁–C₈ with Au₂₀. Based on the calculation results, the probable coordination centers of alkanes on nanoparticle surfaces were found to be vertices and edges, whereas face localization was less probable.     

New method for preparation of polyoxometalate-capped gold nanoparticles, and their assembly on an indium-doped tin oxide electrode

Functionalized gold nanoparticles capped with polyoxometalates were prepared by a simple photoreduction technique where phosphododecamolybdates serve as reducing reagents, photocatalysts, and as stabilizers. TEM images of the resulting gold nanoparticles show the particles to have a relative narrow size distribution. Monolayer and multilayer structures of the negatively charged capped gold nanoparticles were deposited on a poly(vinyl pyridine)-derivatized indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) electrode via the layer-by-layer technique. The surface plasmon resonance band of the gold nanoparticles displays a blue shift on the surface of the ITO electrode. This is due to the substrate-induced charge redistribution in the gold nanoparticles and a change in the electromagnetic coupling between the assembled nanoparticles. The modified electrode exhibits the characteristic electrochemical behavior of surface-confined phosphododecamolybdate and excellent electrocatalytic activity. The catalysis of the modified electrode towards the model compound iodate was systematically studied. The heterogeneous catalytic rate constant for the electrochemical reduction of iodate was determined by chronoamperometry to be ca. 1.34?×?10⁵ mol^?1·L·s^?1. The amperometric method gave a linear range from 2.5?×?10^?6 to 1.5?×?10^?3 M and a detection limit of 1.0?×?10^?6 M. We believe that the functionalized gold nanoparticles prepared by this photoreduction technique are advantageous in terms of fabrication of sensitive and stable redox electrodes.

Direct electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles onto indium/tin oxide film coated glass and its application for electrochemical biosensor

A novel electrochemical deposition method for growth of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on indium tin oxide (ITO) thin film coated glass was investigated. The resulting electrode surface was characterized by SEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. The GNPs directly attached on the electrode surface with a quasi-spherical shape and their sizes of diameters were in the range of 20–35 nm with a quite symmetric distribution. With increasing electrodeposition cycles of cyclic voltammetry, the density of GNPs on ITO electrode surface was increased. The potential utility of the GNPs modified ITO electrode was investigated. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was successfully immobilized on GNPs modified ITO electrode and the direct electron transfer between enzyme and electrode surface realized. The enzyme electrode exhibited a rapid and high response to superoxide anion.     

Photosensitization of Nanocrystalline TiO2 Electrode Modified with C60 Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

C₆₀ carboxylic acid derivatives can be readily adsorbed on the surface of nanocrystalline TiO₂ film. The C₆₀ carboxylic acids adsorbed on nanocrystalline TiO₂ films act as charge‐transfer sensitizer. The electron transport from TiO₂ to the C₆₀ derivatives results in the generation of the cathodic photocurrent. The short‐circuit photocurrent of a C₆₀ tetracarboxylic acid is 0.45 μA/cm² under 464 nm light illumination. The photoelectric behaviour of ITO electrodes modified by the same C₆₀ carboxylic acids is different from that of the modified TiO₂ electrodes, and shows anodic photocurrent.