Electrochemical detection of amino acids at carbon nanotube and nickel-carbon nanotube modified electrodes

The oxidation and enhanced detection of traditionally 'non-electroactive' amino acids at a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) surface and at a nickel hydroxide film electrochemically deposited and generated upon the SWNT layer is reported. Different CNT are compared, with Nafion-dispersed SWNT offering the most favorable layer for constant-potential amperometric detection. Factors affecting the oxidation process, including the pH or applied potential, are assessed. The response of the SWNT-Nafion coated electrode compares favorably with that of copper and nickel disk electrodes under flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions. The electrodeposition of nickel onto the SWNT-Nafion layer (Ni-CNT) led to a dramatic enhancement of the analytical response (vs. that observed at the SWNT or nickel electrodes alone). The oxidative process at the Ni(OH)(2) layer has been studied and the increase in sensitivity rationalized. In the presence of amino acid the Ni-CNT layer undergoes an electrocatalytic process in which the amino acid reduces the newly formed NiO(OH) species. Furthermore, the attractive response of both the CNT and Ni-CNT layers has allowed these electrodes to be used for constant-potential FIA of various amino acids and indicates great promise for monitoring chromatographic effluents. Once again an improved signal was observed at the Ni-CNT electrode compared to nickel deposited upon a bare glassy carbon electrode (Ni-GC).     

A new efficient technique for solving two-point boundary value problems for integro-differential equations

In this paper, we propose a new efficient method based on a combination of Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and Green’s function for solving second-order boundary value problems (BVPs) for integro-differential equations (IDEs). The proposed method depends on constructing Green’s function before establishing the recursive scheme for the solution components. Unlike the ADM or modified ADM , the proposed method avoids solving a sequence of difficult nonlinear equations (transcendental equations) for the unknown parameters. The proposed method provides a direct recursive scheme for obtaining the series solution with easily calculable components. We also provide a sufficient condition that guarantees a unique solution to the second-order BVPs for IDEs. Convergence and error analysis of the proposed method are also discussed. Convergence analysis is reliable enough to estimate the error bound of the series solution. Some numerical examples are included to demonstrate the accuracy, applicability, and generality of the proposed approach. The numerical results reveal that the proposed method is very effective and simple.     

Determination of organophosphate pesticides at a carbon nanotube/organophosphorus hydrolase electrochemical biosensor

An amperometric biosensor for oganophosphorus (OP) pesticides based on a carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified transducer and an organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) biocatalyst is described. A bilayer approach with the OPH layer atop of the CNT film was used for preparing the CNT/OPH biosensor. The CNT layer leads to a greatly improved anodic detection of the enzymatically generated p-nitrophenol product, including higher sensitivity and stability. The sensor performance was optimized with respect to the surface modification and operating conditions. Under the optimal conditions the biosensor was used to measure as low as 0.15 μM paraoxon and 0.8 μM methyl parathion with sensitivities of 25 and 6 nA/μM, respectively.     

Induction of B1 phase in binary mixtures of rod- and bent-shaped mesomorphic compounds

The miscibility of a rod-shaped (R) and a bent-shaped (BC) compound forming an induced B₁ phase is reported. B₁ phase is not present in both R and BC in the entire phase sequence. R exhibits partially bilayered smectic A_d phase with cholesteric and TGB while BC shows a B₂ phase. It is interesting to show that the B₂ phase is totally diminished in low composition (weight%) of BC, B₁ phase is induced at lower temperature range (~90-135 °C). A dielectric study is also incorporated to confirm the induction of B₁ phase in the binary mixture.     

Carbon nanotube fiber microelectrodes

Carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers have been used to fabricate microelectrodes with an attractive electrochemical behavior. By combining the advantages of CNT materials and fiber microelectrodes, the new material expands the scope of CNT-based electrochemical devices. The CNT fiber offers a marked decrease in the overvoltage for the NADH, dopamine, and hydrogen peroxide and circumvents NADH surface fouling effects. Heat treatment is shown to be extremely useful for activating the CNT fiber surfaces for electron transfer. SEM imaging and cyclic-voltammetric data indicate that the heat treatment leads to the removal of nonconducting residues and exposure of a "fresh" CNT surface. The new electrode material thus presents new opportunities for a wide range of electrochemical and analytical applications.     

A new type of symmetrical banana-shaped material based on N-methyldiphenylamine as a core moiety exhibiting an Ad→A2 transition

The synthesis and characterization of a homologous series of Schiff bases consisting of an N-methyldiphenylamine moiety as the central core is reported, which exhibits smectic A phase and transitions from the partial bilayer SmA_d phase to the bilayer SmA₂ phase as the temperature is lowered.     

Preparation and characterisation of copper,cobalt and nickel complexes of tetradentate N6 macrocyclic ligand

Macrocyclic complexes of copper, nickel and cobalt were synthesised via template reactions. These 14-membered N₆ tetradentate macrocyclic complexes were characterised by magnetic, conductance, electronic and IR spectral studies. The macrocyclic ligand coordinates through the four azomethine nitrogen atoms which are bridged by 2,3-butanedione, moieties, but far IR spectra suggest that the pyridine nitrogens are not coordinated. These macrocyclic complexes are considered to have distorted octahedral configurations.     

Synthesis,Electrochemical and Antimicrobial Studies of Me6-Dibenzotetraazamacrocyclic Complexes of Ni(II) and Cu(II) Metal Ions

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - Me6-dibenzotetraaza[14] annulene type macrocyclic complexes of Ni(II) and Cu(II) have been synthesized by template method and characterized by employing...     

Polarographische Untersuchung der Methoxy-äthylthioglykolatkomplexe von Zink

Zusammenfassung Wir untersuchten polarographisch die Komplexierung von Zink mit Methoxyäthylthioglykolat (MET). Es zeigte sich, daß die Reduktion von Zn²⁺ reversibel und diffusionskontrolliert verläuft, und daß es sich dabei um einen Zwei-Elektronen-Übertragungsprozeß handelt. Wir legten der Interpretation der Daten, die sich beim Auftragen von Potential gegen Konzentration bei konstanter Ionenstärke ergaben, die Vorstellung zugrunde, daß sich drei komplexe Species (ZnA ⁺, ZnA ₂ und ZnA _3–) bilden. Die Auswertung erfolgte mit Hilfe der Methode vonDe Ford undHume. Die Bestimmung der Logarithmen der Stabilitätskonstanten bei 25°C führte zu Werten von 3.95, 6.95 bzw. 10.04.

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Polarographic study of methoxy ethylthioglycolate complexes of zinc

Complexation of zinc by methoxyethylthioglycolate (MET) has been studied polarographically. The reduction of Zn²⁺ inMET solution has been found to be reversible and diffusion controlled involving a two-electron transfer process. Potential vs. concentration data at constant ionic strength (-0.5M) have been interpreted on the basis of the formation of three complex species ZnA ⁺, ZnA ₂, and ZnA _3– employingDeFord andHume's method. The logarithms of their stability constants at 25°C were determined and found to be 3.95, 6.95, and 10.04, resp.

     

Intramolecular general base catalyzed ester hydrolysis. The hydrolysis of 2-aminobenzoate esters

Rate constants have been obtained for the hydrolysis of the trifluoroethyl, phenyl, and p-nitrophenyl esters of 2-aminobenzoic acid at 50 degrees C in H(2)O. The pseudo-first-order rate constants, k(obsd), are pH independent from pH 8 to pH 4 (the pK(a) of the amine group conjugate acid). The 2-aminobenzoate esters hydrolyze with similar rate constants in the pH-independent reactions, and these water reactions are approximately 2-fold slower in D(2)O than in H(2)O. The most likely mechanism involves intramolecular general base catalysis by the neighboring amine group. The rate enhancements in the pH-independent reaction in comparison with the pH-independent hydrolysis of the corresponding para substituted esters or the benzoate esters are 50-100-fold. In comparison with the hydroxide ion catalyzed reaction, the enhancement in k(obsd) at pH 4 with the phenyl ester is 10(5)-fold. Intramolecular general base catalyzed reactions are assessed in respect to their relative advantages and disadvantages in enzyme catalysis. A general base catalyzed reaction can be more rapid at low pH than a nucleophilic reaction that has a marked dependence on pH and the leaving group.