"Turn on" electron-transfer-based selective detection of ascorbic acid via copper complexes immobilized on glass

"Turn-on" optical detection of parts-per-million (ppm) levels of ascorbic acid (AA) in water has been determined using a redox-active monolayer on glass.     

Efficient Green Protocol for the Synthesis of Novel Dihydroindeno[1,2-b]pyrroles

A simple and ecofriendly protocol has been developed for the expedient synthesis of novel dihydroindeno[1,2-b]pyrrol-4(3aH)-ones from the reaction of ninhydrin and (E)-N-methyl-1-(methylthio)-2-nitroethenamine or (E)-N-(1-(methylthio)-2-nitrovinyl)anilines.     

Iron nanoparticles decorated graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode for the sensitive determination of nitrite

In the present work, we described the preparation of iron nanoparticles decorated graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite (GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and its application for the sensitive determination of nitrite. First, GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple solution-based approach via chemical reduction and then it was characterized. Afterwards, GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs/GCE was prepared and employed for the electrocatalysis of nitrite. Electrocatalytic oxidation of nitrite at the GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs/GCE has been significantly improved in terms of both reduction in overpotential and increase in peak current. Therefore, the modified electrode was employed for amperometric determination of nitrite which exhibited excellent analytical parameters with wide linear range of 1?×?10^?7 M to 1.68?×?10^?3 M and very low detection limit of 75.6 (±1.3)?nM. The proposed sensor selectively detects nitrite even in the presence of high concentration of common ions and biological interferrants. Good recoveries achieved for the determination of nitrite in various water samples reveal the promising practicality of the sensor. In addition, the sensor displays an acceptable repeatability and reproducibility along with appreciable storage and excellent operational stabilities.

Nanocomposites composed of layered molybdenum disulfide and graphene for highly sensitive amperometric determination of methyl parathion

The authors describe an inexpensive electrode for the sensitive amperometric determination of the pesticide methyl parathion. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with a nanocomposite consisting of molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2) and graphene that was prepared via a hydrothermal process. Its morphology, elemental composition, diffraction, impedance and voltammetric characteristics were studied. The modified electrode displays excellent electrocatalytic ability towards methyl parathion, and the reduction peak current, measured typically at ?0.60 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) is related to the concentration of methyl parathion. The effect of concentration, scan rate and solution pH value were optimized. The calibration plot is linear in the 10 nM to 1.9 mM concentration range, with a 3.2 nM detection limit (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The electrode is selective, stable, adequately repeatable and reproducible. The method was successfully applied to the determination of methyl parathion in spiked samples of homogenized apple, kiwi, tomato and cabbage.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract A reliable and robust methyl parathion sensor has been developed using heterostructured MoS₂/graphene. The linear range is 10 nM–1.9 nM and detection limit is 3.2 (±0.8) nM. The method was successful in real sample determination of spiked methyl parathion in food samples such as apple, kiwi, tomato and cabbage.

     

Fabrication of Nickel Tetrasulfonated Phthalocyanine Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on Activated Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Detection of Dopamine

The nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (NiTsPc) functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite was prepared by a simple sonochemical method. Here, NiTsPc served as a dispersing agent for MWCNT via π? π interaction between MWCNT and NiTsPc. The activated glassy carbon electrode (AGCE) modified with MWCNT‐NiTsPc composite exhibited a good electrocatalytic ability toward dopamine and displayed a good linear dependence in the concentration range of 20 nM–1.384 mM with a sensitivity of 0.17 µA µM^?1 cm^?2. The detection limit is 1 nM based on the signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3.     

Highly crystalline and conductive nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon with graphitic walls and its electrochemical performance

We present a rational and simple methodology to fabricate highly conductive nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon with a graphitic wall structure by the simple adjustment of the carbonization temperature of mesoporous carbon nitride without the addition of any external nitrogen sources. By simply controlling the heat-treatment temperature, the structural order and intrinsic properties such as surface area, conductivity, and pore volume, and the nitrogen content of ordered graphitic mesoporous carbon can be controlled. Among the materials studied, the sample heat-treated at 1000 °C shows the highest conductivity, which is 32 times higher than that for the samples treated at 800 °C and retains the well-ordered mesoporous structure of the parent mesoporous carbon nitride and a reasonable amount of nitrogen in the graphitic framework. Since these materials exhibit high conductivity with the nitrogen atoms in the graphitic framework, we further demonstrate their use as a support for nanoparticle fabrication without the addition of any external stabilizing or size-controlling agent, as well as the anode electrode catalysts. Highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles with a size similar to that of the pore diameter of the support can be fabricated since the nitrogen atoms and the well-ordered porous structure in the mesoporous graphitic carbon framework act as a stabilizing and size-controlling agent, respectively. Furthermore the Pt-loaded, nitrogen-doped mesoporous graphitic carbon sample with a high conductivity shows much higher anodic electrocatalytic activity than the other materials used in the study.     

Heteropoly acid encapsulated SBA-15/TiO2 nanocomposites and their unusual performance in acid-catalysed organic transformations

The preparation of SBA-15/TiO(2) nanocomposites with different loadings of Keggin-type 12-tungstophosphoric acid (TPA) nanocrystals in their mesochannels through a simple and effective vacuum impregnation method is reported for the first time. The catalysts have been characterised by various sophisticated techniques, including XRD, HRSEM, and TEM. It has been found that the acidity and the textural parameters of the nanocomposites can be controlled by simply changing the loadings of TPA and TiO(2) or the calcination temperature. TPA and TiO(2) loadings of 15 and 22.4 wt %, respectively, and a calcination temperature of 1123 K have proved to be optimal for obtaining mesoporous nanocomposite materials with the highest acidity. Moreover, the activities of these catalysts in promoting hydroamination as well as Mannich and Claisen rearrangement reactions have been extensively investigated. The results show that the amount of TPA has a great influence on the activity of the nanocomposites in all of the reactions studied. The effects of other reaction parameters, such as temperature and reaction time, on the conversion and product selectivity have also been studied in detail. A kinetic analysis of the formation of the products under various reaction conditions is presented. It has been found that the activity of the nanocomposite composed of 15 wt % TPA deposited on 22.4 wt of TiO(2) on SBA-15 in promoting the studied reaction is remarkably higher than the catalytic activities shown by pure TPA, TiO(2)-loaded SBA-15, or TPA-loaded SBA-15. The results obtained have indicated that the acidity and the structural control of the nanocomposite materials are highly critical for obtaining excellent catalytic activity, and the presented highly acidic nanocomposites are considered to show great potential for use as catalysts in promoting many acid-catalysed organic transformations.