TNT determination based on its degradation by immobilized HRP with electrochemical sensor

Based on the mechanism of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) degradation, an amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor was constructed for the determination of trace amounts of TNT by immobilization of MWCNTs, HRP and Nafion onto the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The Nafion/MWCNTs/HRP biosensor was capable of degrading TNT with the consumption of H₂O₂ and HRP in 0.2 mol/L PBS (pH 7.0). Trace TNT was quantitative analyzed by the current decrease of H₂O₂ at the reductive potential of −0.35 V using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Effect of the ratio of MWCNTs/HRP, initial concentration of H₂O₂ and electrolyte’s pH were also optimized by CV. Under the optimal conditions, the current decrease of H₂O₂ that was consumed by TNT degradation was proportional to TNT ranging from 8.8 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L to 2.64 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L with a detection limit of 3.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L (S/N = 3). It developed a new way for simple, rapid and sensitive measurement of trace TNT.     

Analytical Biosensing of Hydrogen Peroxide on Brilliant Cresyl Blue/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A cationic quinine‐imide dye brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were co‐immobilized within ormosil on multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode for the fabrication of highly sensitive and selective hydrogen peroxide biosensor. The presence of epoxy group in ormosil as organic moiety improves the mechanical strength and transparency of the film and amino group provides biocompatible microenvironment for the immobilization of enzyme. The presence of MWCNTs improved the conductivity of the nanocomposite film. The surface characterization of MWCNT modified ormosil nanocomposite film was performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry measurements were used to study and optimize the performance of the resulting peroxide biosensor. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant was determined to be 1.5 mM. The proposed H₂O₂ biosensor exhibited wide linear range from 3×10^?7 to 1×10^?4 M, and low detection limit 1×10^?7 M (S/N=3) with fast response time <5 s. The probable interferences in bio‐matrix were selected to test the selectivity and no significant response was observed in the biosensor. This biosensor possessed good analytical performance and long term storage stability.     

Sensitive detection of potassium ion using Prussian blue nanotube sensor

A model K⁺ sensor using Prussian blue nanotubes is fabricated by electrochemical deposition of Prussian blue (PB) within the nanochannels of a porous metal-coated membrane with partially covered pore openings. The PB nanotube sensor exhibits excellent stability giving reproducible peak potentials up to 500 measurement cycles, a very low detection limit of 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ M and extremely wide logarithmic linear ranges between 5.0 × 10⁻⁸–7.0 × 10⁻⁴ M and 7.0 × 10⁻⁴–1.0 M. Negligible interferences by Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ are observed and a rapid analysis time of 30 s is readily achieved. The ease of electrodeposition, high stability of PB nanotubes and outstanding analytical performance which surpasses conventional PB voltammetric and potentiometric sensors demonstrates potential sensing applications including ion sensors and biosensors using PB and other metal hexacyanoferrate nanotubes.     

Amperometric glucose biosensor based on a gold nanorods/cellulose acetate composite film as immobilization matrix

We report on the utilization of gold nanorods to create a highly responsive glucose biosensor. The feasibility of an amperometric glucose biosensor based on immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) in gold nanorod is investigated. GOx is simply mixed with gold nanorods and cross-linked with a cellulose acetate (CA) medium by glutaraldehyde. The adsorption of GOx on the gold nanorods is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Circular dichroism (CD) and UV-spectrum results show that the activity of GOx was preserved after conjugating with gold nanorods. The current response of modified electrode is 10 times higher than that of without gold nanorods. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor shows high sensitivity (8.4 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹), low detection limit (2 × 10⁻⁵ M), good storage stability and high affinity to glucose (). A linear calibration plot is obtained in the wide concentration range from 3 × 10⁻⁵ to 2.2 × 10⁻³ M.     

Tyrosinase/laccase bienzyme biosensor for amperometric determination of phenolic compounds

Tyrosinase/laccase bienzyme biosensor for amperometric determination of phenolic compounds was constructed. Enzymes were immobilized in titania gel matrix. The obtained biosensor was successfully used for determination of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 4-tertbutylcatechol, 4-methylcatechol, 3-chlorophenol and catechol. The highest sensitivity and the widest linear range were noticed for catechol, 234 mA L mol^− 1 and 2.0 × 10^− 7–3.2 × 10^− 5 mol/L, respectively. Detection limit for catechol, at signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was 1.3 × 10^− 7 mol/L.     

C60 trianion-mediated electrocatalysis and amperometric sensing of hydrogen peroxide

Heterogeneous electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) by C₆₀ is reported for the first time. C₆₀ is embedded in tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) film and is characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Electrocatalytic studies show that the trianion of C₆₀ mediates the electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ in aqueous solution containing 0.1 M KCl. Application of such film modified electrode as an amperometric sensor for H₂O₂ determination is also examined. The sensor shows a fast response within 1 s and a linear response is obtained (R = 0.9986) in the concentration range from 3.33 × 10⁻⁵ to 2.05 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ for H₂O₂, with the detection limit of 2 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ and the sensitivity of 1.65 μA mM⁻¹. A good repeatability and stability is shown for the sensor during the experiment.     

Voltammetric determination of quercetin at a multi-walled carbon nanotubes paste electrode

Quercetin can effectively accumulate at multi-walled carbon nanotubes-paraffin oil paste electrodes (CNTPE) and cause a sensitive anodic peak at around 0.32 V (vs. SCE) in a 0.10 M phosphate buffer solution (pH = 4.0). Under optimized conditions, the anodic peak current is linear to quercetin concentration in the ranges of 2.0 × 10^− 9−1.0 × 10^− 7 M and 1.0 × 10^− 7−2.0 × 10^− 5 M, and the regression equations are i_p (μA) = 0.0017 + 0.928c (μM, r = 0.999) and i_p (μA) = 0.183 + 0.0731c (μM, r = 0.995), respectively. This paste electrode can be regenerated by repetitively cycling in a blank solution for about 2 min. A 1.0 × 10^− 6 M quercetin solution is measured for 10 times using the same electrode regenerated after every determination, and the relative standard deviation of the peak current is 1.7%. The method has been applied to the determination of quercetin in hydrolysate product of rutin and the recovery is 99.2–102.6%. In comparison with graphite paste electrode, carbon nanotubes-nujol paste electrode and carbon nanotubes casting film modified glassy carbon electrode, the CNTPE gives higher ratio of signal to background current and better defined voltammetric peak.     

Simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol at PASA/MWNTs composite film modified glassy carbon electrode

A poly-amidosulfonic acid and multi-wall carbon nanotubes composite (PASA/MWNTs) modified electrode has been constructed by electropolymerization on glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical behaviors of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) were investigated using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetries (DPVs) at the prepared electrode. Separation of the reductive peak potentials for HQ and CC was about 120 mV in pH 6.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), which makes it suitable for simultaneous determination of these compounds. In the presence of 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ isomer, the reductive peak currents of DPV are proportional to the concentration of HQ in the range of 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹, and to that of CC in the range of 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹. When simultaneously changing the concentration of both HQ and CC, the linear concentration range of HQ (or CC) is 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ (or 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹), and the corresponding detection limits are 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method has been applied to simultaneous determination of HQ and catechol in water sample, and the results are satisfactory.     

Photochemical synthesis of Prussian blue film from an acidic ferricyanide solution and application

We describe a novel photochemical method to synthesize compacted Prussian blue (PB) film from an acidic ferricyanide solution. The key step is the photochemical reduction of ferricyanide ion to ferrocyanide ion that subsequently coordinates with the free ferric ion dissociated from the ferricyanide in acidic medium to form Prussian blue on the illuminated electrode surface. The prepared PB film electrode shows high electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and the amperometric responses show a linear dependence on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in a range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.2 × 10⁻³ M with a detection limit down to 4 × 10⁻⁷ M. The present photochemical method provides a simple and promising route for the local fabrication of patterned molecular magnets, ion-selective sensors, and electro- or photochromic devices.     

基于树状高分子固定DNA的电化学生物传感器的研究

用电化学氧化法使玻碳电极表面氧化生成羧基,利用偶联活化试剂将1.0G树状高分子(PAMAM)固定在玻碳电极表面,并通过共价结合固定ssDNA。以亚甲基蓝为指示剂,采用循环伏安法、示差脉冲伏安法等电化学方法对DNA电化学生物传感器进行了表征。结果发现,通过亚甲基蓝与双链dsDNA作用的氧化还原电流的变化,可以识别和定量检测溶液中互补的ssDNA片段。经过条件优化,本法测定DNA的浓度线性范围为2×10-9～2×10-7mol/L,检出限为1×10-9mol/L。     

Amperometric Lactate Biosensor Based on Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Benzo[c]cinnoline and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Amperometric lactate biosensor based on a carbon paste electrode modified with benzo[c]cinnoline and multiwalled carbon nanotubes is reported. Incorporation of benzo[c]cinnoline acting as a mediator and multiwalled carbon nanotubes providing a conduction pathway to accelerate electron transfer due to their excellent conductivity into carbon paste matrix resulted in a high performance lactate biosensor. The resulting biosensor exhibited a fast response, high selectivity, good repeatability and storage stability. Under the optimal conditions, the enzyme electrode showed the detection limit of 7.0×10^?8 M with a linear range of 2.0×10^?7 M–1.1×10^?4 M. The usefulness of the biosensor was demonstrated in serum samples.     

Amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide based on coimmobilized horseradish peroxidase and methylene green in ormosils matrix with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A novel amperometric biosensor for the analytical determination of hydrogen peroxide was developed. The fabrication of the biosensor was based on the coimmobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), methylene green (MG) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes within ormosils; 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMOS), 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane (ETMOS) and phenyltrimethoxysilane (PHTMOS). APTMOS determined the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the ormosils and PHTMOS and ETMOS increased the physical and mechanical strength of the ormosil matrix. The ormosil modified electrodes were characterized with SEM, UV-vis spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric measurements demonstrated the MG coimmobilized with HRP in this way, displayed good stability and could efficiently shuttle electrons between immobilized enzyme and electrode, and MWCNTs facilitated the electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ at reduced over potential. The Micheaelis constant of the immobilized HRP was 1.8 mM, indicating a high affinity of the HRP to H₂O₂ without loss of enzymatic activity in ormosil matrix. The prepared biosensor had a fast response of H₂O₂, less than 10 s, and excellent linear range of concentration from 5 × 10⁻⁷ to 2 × 10⁻⁵ M with the detection limit of 0.5 μM (S/N = 3) under the optimum conditions. At the same time, the influence of solution pH, effect of enzyme amount, steady-state applied potential and temperature on the biosensor were investigated. The enzyme electrode retained about 90% of its initial activity after 30 days of storage in a dry state at 4 °C. The preparation of the developed biosensor was convenient and showed high sensitivity with good stability.     

Luminescent CuS nanotubes as silver ion probes

CuS nanotubes (NTs) made up of nanoparticles were successfully prepared in large quantities in an O/W microemulsion system under low temperature. Based on the characteristics of synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS), a new method with high sensitivity and selectivity was developed for rapid determination of silver ion with functional copper sulphide (CuS) nanotubes as a fluorescence probe. Under optimal conditions, functional copper sulphide displayed a calibration response for silver ion over a wide concentration range from 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The limit of detection was 0.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation of eight replicate measurements for the highest concentration (1 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹) was 3%. Compared with several fluorescence methods, the proposed method had a wider linear range and improved the sensitivity. Furthermore, the concentration dependence of the synchronous fluorescence intensity is effectively described by a Langmuir-type binding isotherm.     

Polyvinyl alcohol–ionic liquid composition for promoting the direct electron transfer and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin

The direct electron transfer and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin (Hb) entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–room temperature ionic liquid (i.e., 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [OMIM]PF₆) composition has been investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry. It is found that the composition can promote the direct electron transfer of Hb and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) of immobilized Hb is enhanced to 19.9 s⁻¹. The immobilized Hb also shows high electro-catalytic activity towards the redox of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and nitrite. The Michaelis constants (K_m) decrease to 1.2 × 10⁻⁴ M (for hydrogen peroxide) and 9.4 × 10⁻³ M (for nitrite). The surface concentration of electroactive Hb is estimated and it is ca. 1.4 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻², meaning that several layers of immobilized Hb take part in the electrochemical reaction. When gold nanoparticles (GNP) is introduced into the composition, the resulting PVA–GNP–[OMIM]PF₆ composition presents better performance. The electrochemical characteristic of immobilized Hb is improved further. Thus PVA–GNP–[OMIM]PF₆ composition is more suitable for the immobilization of Hb. Therefore, it is a good strategy to prepare novel composition for protein immobilization by using several materials with different function.     

Spectrofluorimetric quantification of bromazepam using a highly selective optical probe based on Eu–bromazepam complex in pharmaceutical and serum samples

A rapid, simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for determination of trace amount of bromazepam is developed. In phosphate buffer of pH 7.4. The bromazepam enhance the luminescence intensity of the Eu³⁺ ion in Eu³⁺–bromazepam complex at λ_ex = 390 nm. The produced luminescence intensity of Eu³⁺–bromazepam complex is in proportion to the concentration of bromazepam. The working range for the determination of bromazepam is 2.3 × 10⁻⁸ to 6.2 × 10⁻⁷ M with detection limit (LoD) and quantitative detection limit (LoQ) of 3 × 10⁻⁹ and 1.2 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. While, the working range, detection limit (LoD) and quantitative detection limit (LoQ) in case of the quantum yield calculations are 3.7 × 10⁻⁸ to 3.4 × 10⁻⁷ M with of 3.4 × 10⁻⁹ and 9.2 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. The enhancement mechanism of the luminescence intensity in the Eu³⁺–bromazepam system has been also explained.     

Composite film of carbon nanotubes and chitosan for preparation of amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor

A new amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide was developed based on cross-linking horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by glutaraldehyde with multiwall carbon nanotubes/chitosan (MWNTs/chitosan) composite film coated on a glassy carbon electrode. MWNTs were firstly dissolved in a chitosan solution. Then the morphology of MWNTs/chitosan composite film was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that MWNTs were well soluble in chitosan and robust films could be formed on the surface. HRP was cross-linked by glutaraldehyde with MWNTs/chitosan film to prepare a hydrogen peroxide biosensor. The enzyme electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and rapid response for H₂O₂ in the absence of a mediator. The linear range of detection towards H₂O₂ (applied potential: −0.2 V) was from 1.67 × 10⁻⁵ to 7.40 × 10⁻⁴ M with correction coefficient of 0.998. The biosensor had good repeatability and stability for the determination of H₂O₂. There were no interferences from ascorbic acid, glucose, citrate acid and lactic acid.     

Palladized aluminum electrode covered by Prussian blue film as an effective transducer for electrocatalytic oxidation and hydrodynamic amperometry of N-acetyl-cysteine and glutathione

The mediated oxidation of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GL) at the palladized aluminum electrode modified by Prussian blue film (PB/Pd–Al) is described. The catalytic activity of PB/Pd–Al was explored in terms of Fe^III[Fe^III(CN)₆]/Fe^III[Fe^II(CN)₆]¹⁻ system by taking advantage of the metallic palladium layer inserted between PB film and Al, as an electron-transfer bridge. The best mediated oxidation of NAC and GL on the PB/Pd–Al electrode was achieved in 0.5 M KNO₃ + 0.2 M potassium acetate of pH 2. The mechanism and kinetics of the catalytic oxidation reactions of the both compounds were monitored by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The charge transfer-rate limiting step as well as overall oxidation reaction of NAC or GL is found to be a one-electron abstraction. The values of transfer coefficients α, catalytic rate constant k and diffusion coefficient D are 0.5, 3.2 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 2.45 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ for NAC and 0.5, 2.1 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 3.7 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ for GL, respectively. The modifying layers on the Pd–Al substrate have reproducible behavior and a high level of stability in the electrolyte solutions. The modified electrode is exploited for hydrodynamic amperometry of NAC and GL. The amperometric calibration graph is linear in concentration ranges 2 × 10⁻⁶–40 × 10⁻⁶ for NAC and 5 × 10⁻⁷–18 × 10⁻⁶ M for GL and the detection limits are 5.4 × 10⁻⁷ and 4.6 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively.     

Catalytic microdetermination of iron

A reaction rate method is described for the microdetermination of iron. The method is based on the catalytic action of iron on the reaction of 2,4-diaminophenol with hydrogen peroxide. The effect of reagent concentration is studied and the maximum tolerable amounts of interfering ions are determined. Procedures for the determination of 2.8 × 10⁻³ to 2.8 × 10⁻² μg/ml are given.Quantities of 2.8 × 10⁻³ to 2.8 × 10⁻² μg/ml could be determinated with a relative error of about 2%.     

Application ofo-Hydroxyphenylfluorone as a Fluorogenic Indicator to the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide and Oxidase Substrates Based on the Catalytic Effect of Hemin

A highly sensitive fluorescence quenching method has been developed for selective determination of hydrogen peroxide based on the catalytic effect of hemin on theo-hydroxyphenylfluorone (a new fluorogenic substrate) and hydrogen peroxide system. Under optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear over the range 0–1.0 × 10⁻⁶mol/liter hydrogen peroxide, with a limit of detection of 8.0 × 10⁻⁹mol/liter in a 10-min reaction period. It can easily be incorporated into the determination of biochemical substances that produce hydrogen peroxide under catalytic oxidation by their oxidase. This possibility has been tested for the determination of glucose in human sera as an example.     

Mesoporous MnO2 as enzyme immobilization host for amperometric glucose biosensor construction

Mesoporous MnO₂ (mesoMnO₂) is synthesized facilely through sol–gel process using nonionic surfactant polyxyethylene fatty alcohol (AEO₉) as template. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherm show that the obtained mesoMnO₂ material presents disordered porous structure and appropriate pore size suitable for the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx). An amperometric glucose biosensor based on GOx entrapped in mesoMnO₂ is fabricated, in which mesoMnO₂ also acts as a catalyst for the electrochemical oxidation of H₂O₂ produced by enzyme reaction. The biosensor shows fast and sensitive current response to glucose in the linear range of 0.0009–2.73 mM. The response time (t_95%) is less than 7 s. The sensitivity and detection limit are 24.2 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹ and 1.8 × 10⁻⁷ M (S/N = 3), respectively. This indicates that mesoMnO₂ has promising application in enzyme immobilization and biosensor construction.