Electrochemical sensors for the simultaneous determination of zinc,cadmium and lead using a Nafion/ionic liquid/graphene composite modified screen-printed carbon electrode

A simple, low cost, and highly sensitive electrochemical sensor, based on a Nafion/ionic liquid/graphene composite modified screen-printed carbon electrode (N/IL/G/SPCE) was developed to determine zinc (Zn(II)), cadmium (Cd(II)), and lead (Pb(II)) simultaneously. This disposable electrode shows excellent conductivity and fast electron transfer kinetics. By in situ plating with a bismuth film (BiF), the developed electrode exhibited well-defined and separate peaks for Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Analytical characteristics of the BiF/N/IL/G/SPCE were explored with calibration curves which were found to be linear for Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) concentrations over the range from 0.1 to 100.0 ng L⁻¹. With an accumulation period of 120 s detection limits of 0.09 ng mL⁻¹, 0.06 ng L⁻¹ and 0.08 ng L⁻¹ were obtained for Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively using the BiF/N/IL/G/SPCE sensor, calculated as 3σ value of the blank. In addition, the developed electrode displayed a good repeatability and reproducibility. The interference from other common ions associated with Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) detection could be effectively avoided. Finally, the proposed analytical procedure was applied to detect the trace metal ions in drinking water samples with satisfactory results which demonstrates the suitability of the BiF/N/IL/G/SPCE to detect heavy metals in water samples and the results agreed well with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.     

Magnetic ionic liquids as non-conventional extraction solvents for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

This work describes the applicability of magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) in the analytical determination of a group of heavy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Three different MILs, namely, benzyltrioctylammonium bromotrichloroferrate (III) (MIL A), methoxybenzyltrioctylammonium bromotrichloroferrate (III) (MIL B), and 1,12-di(3-benzylbenzimidazolium) dodecane bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)]imide bromotrichloroferrate (III) (MIL C), were designed to exhibit hydrophobic properties, and their performance examined in a microextraction method for hydrophobic analytes. The magnet-assisted approach with these MILs was performed in combination with high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. The study of the extraction performance showed that MIL A was the most suitable solvent for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and under optimum conditions the fast extraction step required ∼20 μL of MIL A for 10 mL of aqueous sample, 24 mmol L⁻¹ NaOH, high ionic strength content of NaCl (25% (w/v)), 500 μL of acetone as dispersive solvent, and 5 min of vortex. The desorption step required the aid of an external magnetic field with a strong NdFeB magnet (the separation requires few seconds), two back-extraction steps for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons retained in the MIL droplet with n-hexane, evaporation and reconstitution with acetonitrile. The overall method presented limits of detection down to 5 ng L⁻¹, relative recoveries ranging from 91.5 to 119%, and inter-day reproducibility values (expressed as relative standard derivation) lower than 16.4% for a spiked level of 0.4 μg L⁻¹ (n = 9). The method was also applied for the analysis of real samples, including tap water, wastewater, and tea infusion.     

A novel polymeric ionic liquid-coated magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the solid-phase extraction of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase

A novel magnetic adsorbent, benzyl groups functionalized imidazolium-based polymeric ionic liquid (PIL)-coated magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (m-MWCNTs@PIL), has been successfully synthesized and applied for the extraction of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD). The m-MWCNTs@PIL were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and zeta-potential nanoparticles. In this method, the m-MWCNTs@PIL could interact with Cu, Zn-SOD through hydrogen bonding, π-π and electrostatic interactions. The extraction performance of the m-MWCNTs@PIL in the magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) procedure was investigated, coupled with the determination by UV–vis spectrophotometer. Compared with m-MWCNTs@IL and m-MWCNTs, the m-MWCNTs@PIL exhibited the highest extraction capacity of 29.1 mg/g for Cu, Zn-SOD. The adsorbed Cu, Zn-SOD remained high specific activity after being eluted from m-MWCNTs@PIL by 1 moL/L NaCl solution. Besides, the m-MWCNTs@PIL could be easily recycled and successfully employed in the extraction of Cu, Zn-SOD from real samples. Under the optimal conditions, the precision, repeatability and stability of the proposed method were investigated and the RSDs were 0.29%, 1.68% and 0.54%, respectively. Recoveries were in the range of 82.7–102.3%, with the RSD between 3.47% and 5.35%. On the basis of these results, the developed method has great potential in the extraction of Cu, Zn-SOD or other analytes from biological samples.     

Protein environmental effects on iron‐sulfur clusters: A set of rules for constructing computational models for inner and outer coordination spheres

The structural properties and reactivity of iron‐sulfur proteins are greatly affected by interactions between the prosthetic groups and the surrounding amino acid residues. Thus, quantum chemical investigations of the structure and properties of protein‐bound iron‐sulfur clusters can be severely limited by truncation of computational models. The aim of this study was to identify, a priori, significant interactions that must be included in a quantum chemical model. Using the [2Fe‐2S] accessory cluster of the FeFe‐hydrogenase as a demonstrative example with rich electronic structural features, the electrostatic and covalent effects of the surrounding side chains, charged groups, and backbone moieties were systematically mapped through density functional theoretical calculations. Electron affinities, spin density differences, and delocalization indexes from the quantum theory of atoms in molecules were used to evaluate the importance of each interaction. Case studies for hydrogen bonding and charged side‐chain interactions were used to develop selection rules regarding the significance of a given protein environmental effect. A set of general rules is proposed for constructing quantum chemical models for iron‐sulfur active sites that capture all significant interactions from the protein environment. This methodology was applied to our previously used models in galactose oxidase and the 6Fe‐cluster of FeFe‐hydrogenase. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Study of the surface properties and surface concentration of ionic liquid–alcohol mixtures

Surface properties for three binary mixtures containing a 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([BMIM][SCN]) and a long-chain alcohol (1-butanol, 1-pentanol and 1-hexanol) were determined by surface tension data at the following temperatures: (298.15, 308.15, 318.15, 328.15 and 338.15) K. The surface tension data over the entire mole fraction range are correlated by the Fu et al.(FLW) and Myers-Scott (MS) models. There is good agreement between the experimental data and the results of correlations for 15 binary systems (the three systems at five temperatures) with an average relative error below 1.5%. In addition, the UNIFAC group contribution method is applied for calculation of activity coefficients of components in solution. Moreover, the relative adsorptions of alcohol at the air/liquid interface are determined using Gibbs adsorption isotherm. The obtained results show that the values of adsorption for mixtures of alcohols/[BMIM][SCN] increase with increasing the alkyl chain length of alcohol and decreasing temperature.     

Bronsted acidic ionic liquid [C3SO3HDoim]HSO4 catalyzed one-pot three-component Biginelli-type reaction: An efficient and solvent-free synthesis of pyrimidinone derivatives and its mechanistic study

A series of Bronsted acidic ionic liquids(ILs) were prepared and used for Biginelli-type condensation reaction among aromatic aldehydes, urea or thiourea and cyclopentanone. Through this reaction, the synthesis of various pyrimidinones could be achieved. Of interest, it was found that the reaction was efficiently catalyzed by a novel, eco-friendly functionalized IL [C_3SO_3HDoim]HSO_4, which could be reused for at least 7 times without significantly loss of catalytic activity. The reaction proceeded efficiently at 80℃ to afford the desired products in good yield(up to 96%). In addition, a possible mechanism that accounted for the IL [C_3SO_3HDoim]HSO_4-catalyzed reaction was proposed.     

Generator‐collector Voltammetry at Dual‐plate Gold‐gold Microtrench Electrodes as Diagnostic Tool in Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids provide high viscosity solvent environments with interesting voltammetric characteristics and new electrochemical mechanisms. Here, a gold‐gold dual‐plate microtrench electrode is employed in generator‐collector mode to enhance viscosity‐limited currents in ionic liquids due to fast feedback within small inter‐electrode gaps (5 μm inter‐electrode gap, 27 μm microtrench depth) and to provide a mechanistic diagnosis tool. Three redox systems in the ionic liquid BMIm⁺BF₄^? are investigated: (i) ferrocene oxidation, (ii) oxygen reduction, and (iii) 2‐phenyl‐naphthyl‐1,4‐dione reduction. Both transient and steady state voltammetric responses are compared. Asymmetric diffusion processes, reaction intermediates, and solubility changes in the ionic liquid are revealed.     

Wireless Hazard Badges to Detect Nerve‐Agent Simulants

Human exposure to hazardous chemicals can have adverse short‐ and long‐term health effects. In this Communication, we have developed a single‐use wearable hazard badge that dosimetrically detects diethylchlorophosphate (DCP), a model organophosphorous cholinesterase inhibitor simulant. Improved chemically actuated resonant devices (CARDs) are fabricated in a single step and unambiguously relate changes in chemiresistance to a wireless readout. To provide selective and readily manufacturable sensor elements for this platform, we developed an ionic‐liquid‐mediated single walled carbon nanotube based chemidosimetric scheme with DCP limits of detection of 28 ppb. As a practical demonstration, an 8 h workday time weighted average equivalent exposure of 10 ppb DCP effects an irreversible change in smartphone readout.     

Poly(ionic liquid)‐Mediated Morphogenesis of Bismuth Sulfide with a Tunable Band Gap and Enhanced Electrocatalytic Properties

Conventional polymer additives have a substantial impact on synthetic inorganic chemistry, but critical shortcomings remain; for example, low solubility in organic solvents and potential thermodynamic aggregates. Poly(ionic liquid)s have now been used as efficient additives that enable a high level control of bismuth sulfide crystals with significant size and morphological diversities. The bismuth sulfides exhibit tunable band structure as a result of the quantum size effects. Moreover, poly(ionic liquid)s are able to couple with as‐synthesized bismuth sulfides chemically and endow a modified surface electronic structure, which allows resultant products to possess outstanding electrocatalytic performance for water oxidation, although its commercial counterpart is catalytically inert.     

Highly Efficient Nitric Oxide Capture by Azole‐Based Ionic Liquids through Multiple‐Site Absorption

A novel method for highly efficient nitric oxide absorption by azole‐based ionic liquid was reported. The NO absorption capacity reached up to 4.52 mol per mol ionic liquid and is significant higher than the capacity other traditional absorbents. Moreover, the absorption of NO by this ionic liquid was reversible. Through a combination of experimental absorption, quantum chemical calculation, NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopic investigation, the results indicated that such high capacity originated from multiple‐site interactions between NO and the anion through the formation of NONOate with the chemical formula R¹R²N?(NO^?)?N=O, where R¹ and R² are alkyl groups. We believe that this highly efficient and reversible NO absorption by an azole‐based ionic liquid paves a new way for gas capture and utilization.