Direct electrocatalytic oxidation of nitric oxide and reduction of hydrogen peroxide based on α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles-chitosan composite

α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles prepared using a simple solution-combusting method have been dispersed in chitosan (CH) solution to fabricate nanocomposite film on glass carbon electrode (GCE). The as-prepared α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanocomposite film exhibits high electrocatalytic oxidation for nitric oxide (NO) and reduction for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The electrocatalytic oxidation peak is observed at +0.82 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and controlled by diffusion process. The electrocatalytic reduction peak is observed at −0.45 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and controlled by diffusion process. This α-Fe₂O₃-CH/GCE nanocomposite bioelectrode has response time of 5 s, linearity as 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 15.0 × 10⁻⁶ M of NO with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ M and a sensitivity of −283.6 μA/mM. This α-Fe₂O₃-CH/GCE nanocomposite bioelectrode was further utilized in detection of H₂O₂ with a detection limit of 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ M, linearity as 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 44.0 × 10⁻⁶ M and with a sensitivity of 21.62 μA/mM. The shelf life of this bioelectrode is about 6 weeks under room temperature conditions.     

Visual detection of melamine in milk products by label-free gold nanoparticles

A simple, rapid, field-portable colorimetric method for the detection of melamine based on melamine-induced color change of label-free gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) was developed in this study. Melamine can induced the aggregation of Au NPs and results in the color change from wine-red to purple, which provided a platform for rapid and field-portable colorimetric detection of melamine. The proposed method can be used to detect melamine in liquid milk and infant formula with a detection limit of 1.0 and 4.2 ppm, respectively, within 30 min by naked eyes observation without the aid of any advanced instrument and the need of any complex pretreatment, and detect as low as 0.15 ppm of melamine in liquid milk and 2.5 ppm of melamine in infant formula with UV-vis-spectroscopy. The proposed method is promising for on-site screening of melamine adulterant in milk products.     

Modular synthesis of ruthenium tripodal system with variable anchoring groups positions for semiconductor sensitization

We describe an improved synthetic approach to access tripodal compounds with variable footprints and anchor groups. Two ruthenium(II) bipyridine tripodal complexes with three carboxylic acid groups in meta (Ru-m-COOH, 1) and para (Ru-p-COOH, 2) positions, and with large (180-250 Å²) footprints were synthesized and bound to the surface of nanostructured TiO₂. Selected properties of 1 and 2 in solution and bound are reported.     

Palladium(0) nanoparticle-catalyzed sp C-H activation: a convenient route to alkyl-aryl ketones by direct acylation of aryl bromides and iodides with aldehydes

Palladium(0) nanoparticles efficiently catalyze aliphatic aldehyde C-H functionalization by aryl halides to produce alkyl-aryl ketones in good yields. A wide range of substituted aryl and hetero-aryl bromides/iodides and open-chain aldehydes of varied chain length participated in this reaction.     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ionic Liquid and Application for the Detection of Dissolved Oxygen

The electrochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles (nano‐Ag) has been successfully carried out on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and indium tin oxide electrode (ITO) using 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMT) as green electrolytes. Further the electrodeposited nano‐Ag modified ITO electrode has been examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray diffraction studies (XRD). The electrodeposited Ag nanoparticles on ITO were found in the size range of 5 to 35 nm. The nano‐Ag film modified GCE was further coated with nafion (Nf) and BMT (1 : 1 ratio) mixture and found to be stable in BMT and in pH 7 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The nano‐Ag/BMT‐Nf film modified GCE successfully applied for the oxygen reduction reaction in neutral pH (pH 7.0 PBS). The proposed film modified GCE successfully reduces the over potential and show well defined reduction peaks for the detection of dissolved oxygen using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disc voltammetry (RDE). The film also applied for the detection of dissolved oxygen using electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies (EIS).     

Complexation of Hg2+ with α‐Lipoic and Dihydrolipoic Acids: Study by Differential Pulse Voltammetry on Rotating Au‐Disk Electrode and ESI‐MS

The complexation of the natural antioxidants α‐lipoic acid (ALA) and its reduced form dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) with Hg²⁺ was investigated by a recently proposed differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method using the rotating Au‐disk electrode. Complexation processes are proposed from the multivariate curve resolution by alternating least squares (MCR‐ALS) analysis of DPV titration data. Main complexes were both 1 : 1 Hg : ALA and Hg : DHLA, although the formation of 1 : 2 complexes can be also deduced. ALA and DHLA show different Hg²⁺‐binding patterns at different pH. Voltammetric findings are completed with the data obtained by electrospray ionization mass‐spectrometry (ESI‐MS), especially in negative mode.     

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.     

Simultaneous Determination of Ascorbic Acid,Dopamine and Uric Acid at Pt Nanoparticles Decorated Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Modified GCE

A modified electrode was fabricated by electrochemically deposition of Pt nanoparticles on the multiwall carbon nanotube covered glassy carbon electrode (Pt nanoparticles decorated MWCNT/GCE). A higher catalytic activity was obtained to electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid due to the enhanced peak current and well‐defined peak separations compared with both, bare and MWCNT/GCE. The electrode surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Individual and simultaneous determination of AA, DA, and UA were studied by differential pulse voltammetry. The detection limits were individually calculated for ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid as being 1.9×10^?5 M, 2.78×10^?8 M, and 3.2×10^?8 M, respectively. In simultaneous determination, LODs were calculated for AA, DA, and UA, as of 2×10^?5 M, 4.83×10^?8 M, and 3.5×10^?7 M, respectively.     

Synthesis of MnO2/MWNTs Nanocomposites Using a Sonochemical Method and Application for Hydrazine Detection

A sonochemical method has been successfully used to synthesize MnO₂/MWNTs nanocomposites. The structure and nature of the resulting MnO₂/MWNTs composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The results show that the sonochemically synthesized MnO₂ nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed on the modified MWNT surfaces. The performance of the MnO₂/MWNTs nanocomposites modified electrode was characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Nyquist plots. The electrode exhibits efficient electron transfer ability and high electrochemical response towards hydrazine. This may be attributed to the small particle size, high dispersion of MnO₂ particles. The fabricated hydrazine sensor showed a wide linear range of 5.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?3 M with a response time less than 5 s and a detection limit of 0.2 μM. Taking the advantage of the unique properties of both MWNTs and MnO₂, it would greatly broaden the applications of MWNTs and MnO₂.     

Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Glucose Sensor Based on Pt Nanoparticles/Mesoporous Carbon Matrix

A nonenzymatic amperometric sensor for sensitive and selective detection of glucose has been constructed by using highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles supported onto mesoporous carbons (MCs). The Pt nanoparticles/mesoporous carbons (Pt/MCs) composites modified electrode displayed high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose. At an applied potential of 0.1 V, the Pt/MCs electrode has a linear dependence (R=0.996) in the glucose concentration up to 7.5 mM with a sensitivity of 8.52 mA M^?1 cm^?2. The Pt/MCs electrode has also shown highly resistant toward poisoning by chloride ions and without interference from the oxidation of common interfering species.