A Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on a Copper Nanoparticle–Zinc Oxide Nanorod Array

A non-enzymatic sensor for glucose based on copper nanoparticles and zinc oxide nanorod array modified fluorine-doped tin oxide conductive glass electrode was constructed by two-step electrodeposition. The electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical behavior of the modified electrodes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under the optimal conditions, the modified electrode offered a rapid response to glucose in the range from 5 × 10^?6 M to 1.1 × 10^?3 M (R = 0.9975) with a detection limit of 3 × 10^?7 M (S/N = 3) and a sensitivity of 609.8 µA · mM^?1. The preparation and operation of the biosensor was simple, had lower cost, and offered excellent performance due to its high sensitivity, good stability, reproducibility, and selectivity against other substances. The satisfactory results illustrated that it was promising for the determination of glucose in alkaline solutions.     

An Amperometric Glucose Sensor Based on Isoporous Crystalline Protein Membranes as Immobilization Matrix

Abstract

S-layer ultrafiltration membranes (SUMs) with an active filtration layer composed of coherent two-dimensional, isoporous protein crystals (S-layers) have been used as matrix for immobilizing monolayers of enzymes. Since S-layers are formed by periodic repetition of identical protein subunits, functional groups are present on the crystalline array in an identical position and orientation. As a consequence monolayers of enzymes can bind in a geometrically well defined way. For the covalent immobilization of enzymes carboxyl groups from the S-layer protein were activated with carbodiimide and allowed to react with amino groups of the enzyme. SUMs were employed as a new type of immobilization matrix for the developement of an amperometric glucose sensor using glucose oxidase (GOD) as the biologically active component. Glucose oxidase covalently bound to the surface of the S-layer protein retained approximately 40% of its activity. The enzyme loaded SUMs were covered with a layer of gold or platinum to function as working electrodes. These sensors yielded high signals (150nA/mm²/mmol glucose), fast response times (10–30s) and a linearity range up to 12 mM glucose. The stability under working conditions was more than 48 hours. There was no loss in activity after a storage period of 6 month.     

Selective and Sequential Re‐Assembly of Patterned Block Copolymer Thin Film for Fabricating Polymeric,Inorganic, and Their Composite Nanostructured Arrays

We report that the nanostructures of poly(styrene‐block‐4‐vinylpyridine) block copolymer (PS‐b‐P4VP) thin film on a wafer substrate can be re‐assembled by sequential vapor treatment using selected solvents. Metal or other inorganic nanoparticles that were randomly pre‐loaded inside or on the surface of PS‐b‐P4VP thin film could be pulled to the rim of PS and P4VP along with the movements of PS and P4VP blocks during the treatment. As a result, the patterned polymeric or inorganic/polymer composite nanoisland and nanoring arrays were fabricated.

     

聚(苯乙烯-co-甲基丙烯酸)胶体晶体原位反转制备孔阵列研究

利用甲苯浸泡法,将聚(苯乙烯-co-甲基丙烯酸)(P(Sc-o-MAA))胶体晶体转变成孔阵列,利用扫描电镜和原子力显微镜详细研究了胶体球在向孔转变过程中结构的变化细节,同时利用表面元素分析法检测其反转前后元素含量的变化.结果表明,在选择性溶剂作用下,胶体球经历了溶胀—粘连—破裂—溶解—成孔—扩张等一系列变化,处于内核的聚苯乙烯被溶出胶体球后不仅填充到球与球之间的空隙中而且扩散到了溶剂中,而胶体球表面富集的聚甲基丙烯酸链段与溶出的聚苯乙烯混合物则主要对孔结构起固定和支撑作用,但长时间的甲苯浸泡最终会破坏孔的结构和阵列的完整性.     

Micro fabrication of microlens arrays by micro dispensing

In this study, master of the microlens arrays is fabricated using micro dispensing technology, and then electroforming technology is employed to replicate the Ni mold insert of the microlens arrays. Finally, micro hot embossing is performed to replicate the molded microlens arrays from the Ni mold insert. The resin material is used as the dispensing material, which is dropped on a glass substrate. The resin is exposed to a 380 W halogen light. It becomes convex under surface tension on the glass substrate. A master for the microlens arrays is then obtained. A 150‐nm‐thick copper layer is sputtered on the master as an electrically conducting layer. The electroforming method replicates the Ni mold insert from the master of the microlens arrays. Finally, micro hot embossing is adopted to replicate the molded microlens arrays. The micro hot embossing experiment employs optical films of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC). The processing parameters of micro hot embossing are processing temperature, embossing pressure, embossing time, and de‐molding temperature. Taguchi's method is applied to optimize the processing parameters of micro hot embossing for molded microlens arrays. An optical microscope and a surface profiler are utilized to measure the surface profile of the master, the Ni mold insert and the molded microlens arrays. AFM is employed to measure the surface roughness of the master, the Ni mold insert and the molded microlens arrays. The sag height and focal length are determined to elucidate the optical characteristics of the molded microlens arrays. Copyright © 2009 John & Sons, Ltd.     

Electronic Tongues Employing Electrochemical Sensors

This review presents recent advances concerning work with electronic tongues employing electroanalytical sensors. This new concept in the electroanalysis sensor field entails the use of chemical sensor arrays coupled with chemometric processing tools, as a mean to improve sensors performance. The revision is organized according to the electroanalytical technique used for transduction, namely: potentiometry, voltammetry/amperometry or electrochemical impedance. The significant use of biosensors, mainly enzyme‐based is also presented. Salient applications in real problem solving using electrochemical electronic tongues are commented.     

Comparison of three methods for fractionation and enrichment of low molecular weight proteins for SELDI-TOF-MS differential analysis

In most diseases, the clinical need for serum/plasma markers has never been so crucial, not only for diagnosis, but also for the selection of the most efficient therapies, as well as exclusion of ineffective or toxic treatment. Due to the high sample complexity, prefractionation is essential for exploring the deep proteome and finding specific markers.In this study, three different sample preparation methods (i.e., highly abundant protein precipitation, restricted access materials (RAM) combined with IMAC chromatography and peptide ligand affinity beads) were investigated in order to select the best fractionation step for further differential proteomic experiments focusing on the LMW proteome (MW inferior to 40,000 Da). Indeed, the aim was not to cover the entire plasma/serum proteome, but to enrich potentially interesting tissue leakage proteins. These three methods were evaluated on their reproducibility, on the SELDI-TOF-MS peptide/protein peaks generated after fractionation and on the information supplied.The studied methods appeared to give complementary information and presented good reproducibility (below 20%). Peptide ligand affinity beads were found to provide efficient depletion of HMW proteins and peak enrichment in protein/peptide profiles.     

高度有序氧化钨纳米棒的制备和表征

采用直流磁控溅射法结合阳极氧化法在铝基纳米点阵上制备氧化钨(WO3)纳米棒. 运用原子力学显微镜(AFM), 电子扫描显微镜(SEM), X射线衍射仪(XRD), 电化学工作站(EW)和紫外-可见分光光度计(UV)观察表征了WO3纳米棒的表面形貌、结构、光学性能和电致变色性能. 结果表明: 在溅射过程中, 溅射粒子优先沉积于铝基纳米点阵的凸点上, 然后成核并形成棒状; WO3纳米棒的直径约为200 nm, 与铝基纳米点阵的直径一致, 拥有一定的电致变色性能.     

The evolution of morphology of ordered porous TiO2 films fabricated from sol-gel method assisted ZnO nanorod template

Ordered porous TiO₂ films, including TiO₂ nanotube arrays, are fabricated by a sol-gel dip-coating approach via ZnO nanorod templates obtained from aqueous solution approach. The results indicate that the morphologies of ordered porous TiO₂ films have been great affected by the sol-gel dip-coating cycle number. Open-ended TiO₂ nanotube arrays can be obtained in optimum dip-coating cycle numbers. The TiO₂ nanotubes with the inner diameter matching well with the diameters of ZnO nanorods, are well assembled and separate each other. When the cycle number is less than this optimum value, no intact porous TiO₂ film can be obtained. As the cycle number is larger than this optimum value, an ordered porous TiO₂ film with many throughout holes is formed. The evolutive mechanism of ordered porous TiO₂ films is proposed.