Activated Nickel Platform for Electrochemical Sensing of Phosphate

One material, multiple functions: graphene/Ni(OH)2 thin films applied in batteries, electrochromism and sensors

Different nanocomposites between reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles were synthesized through modifications in the polyol method (starting from graphene oxide (GO) dispersion in ethylene glycol and nickel acetate), processed as thin films through the liquid-liquid interfacial route, homogeneously deposited over transparent electrodes and spectroscopically, microscopically and electrochemically characterized. The thin and transparent nanocomposite films (112 to 513 nm thickness, 62.6 to 19.9% transmittance at 550 nm) consist of α-Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles (mean diameter of 4.9 nm) homogeneously decorating the rGO sheets. As a control sample, neat Ni(OH)₂ was prepared in the same way, consisting of porous nanoparticles with diameter ranging from 30 to 80 nm. The nanocomposite thin films present multifunctionality and they were applied as electrodes to alkaline batteries, as electrochromic material and as active component to electrochemical sensor to glycerol. In all the cases the nanocomposite films presented better performances when compared to the neat Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles, showing energy and power of 43.7 W h kg⁻¹ and 4.8 kW kg⁻¹ (8.24 A g⁻¹) respectively, electrochromic efficiency reaching 70 cm² C⁻¹ and limit of detection as low as 15.4 ± 1.2 μmol L⁻¹.

Potentiometric sensing of aqueous phosphate by competition assays using ion-exchanger doped-polymeric membrane electrodes as transducers

Using Zn(2+)-BPMP or Cu(2+)-BPMP as a receptor and o-mercaptophenol as an indicator, potentiometric sensing of aqueous phosphate by competition assays was achieved. With attractive features of portability, low cost and resistance to interference from turbidity and color, this sensor was successfully used for phosphate detection in biological and water samples.

Semiconductor-enhanced Raman scattering for highly robust SERS sensing: the case of phosphate analysis

Quantitative analysis of phosphate anions was achieved by measurement of "turn-off" SERS based on the first-layer effect of a chemical mechanism. More importantly, our results demonstrate that it is possible, by means of semiconductor-enhanced Raman scattering, to enhance the SERS sensing performance including stability and reproducibility.

A dual-emission fluorescence-enhanced probe for imaging copper(ii) ions in lysosomes

We have developed the first example of a fluorescence-enhanced and lysosome-targeted Cu²⁺ probe (Lys-Cu) with unique dual-channel emissions. The newly synthesized fluorescent probe Lys-Cu, which contains two recognition sites with different sensing mechanisms for Cu²⁺, displays fluorescence-enhanced dual-channel emissions with fluorescence response to Cu²⁺ in the lysosome pH environment. Fluorescence imaging shows that Lys-Cu is membrane-permeable and suitable for visualization of Cu²⁺ in lysosomes of living cells by dual-channel imaging.

A turn-on coordination nanoparticle-based fluorescent probe for phosphate in human serum

Coordination nanoparticles (CNPs) are becoming attractive platforms for chemical sensing applications because their unique adjustable properties offer the opportunity to design various luminescent nanoprobes. Here, we present a CNP-based fluorescent nanoprobe, in which fluorophores (rhodamine B, RB) and quenchers (methylene blue, MB) were spontaneously enfolded by coordination networks self-assembled of adenine, biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (BDA) and zinc ions. The aggregation of fluorophores and quenchers in CNPs resulted in a quenched state fluorescence of RB. RB and MB could be released from CNPs in the presence of phosphate, which triggered the fluorescence of RB. On the basis of recognition-driven disassembly principle, a novel turn-on fluorescent probe for the determination of PO4(3-) with a wide response range (0.5-50 μM) has been successfully applied in the detection of phosphate in human serum samples. This work not only develops a probe for phosphate but also provides a general strategy for designing nanoprobes or nanocarriers towards various targets by altering organic linkers or metal ions.

Facile synthesis of nickel hydroxide–graphene nanocomposites for insulin detection with enhanced electro-oxidation properties

This study describes a facile and effective one-pot route to synthesize structurally uniform and electrochemically active nickel hydroxide–graphene nanocomposites (Ni(OH)₂–GN) and investigates the electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of insulin.

One-step to prepare self-organized nanoporous NiO/TiO2 layers and its use in non-enzymatic glucose sensing

A highly ordered nanoporous NiTi oxide layers were fabricated on Ti alloys with high Ni contents (50.6 at.%) by a combination of self-organizing anodization at 0°C and subsequent selective etching in H₂O₂. The key for successful formation of such layers is to sufficiently suppress the dissolve of NiO by applying lower temperature during anodization. The resulting nanoporous structure is connected and well-adhered, which exhibits a much higher electrochemical cycling stability in 0.1 M NaOH. Without further surface modification or the use of polymer binders, the layers can be behave as a low-cost, stable and sensitive platform in non-enzymatic glucose sensing.

Electrocatalysis and electroanalysis of nickel, its oxides, hydroxides and oxyhydroxides toward small molecules

The electrocatalysis toward small molecules, especially small organic compounds, is of importance in a variety of areas. Nickel based materials such as nickel, its oxides, hydroxides as well as oxyhydroxides exhibit excellent electrocatalysis performances toward many small molecules, which are widely used for fuel cells, energy storage, organic synthesis, wastewater treatment, and electrochemical sensors for pharmaceutical, medical, food or environmental analysis. Their electrocatalytic mechanisms are proposed from three aspects such as Ni(OH)2/NiOOH mediated electrolysis, direct electrocatalysis of Ni(OH)2 or NiOOH. Under exposure to air or aqueous solution, two distinct layers form on the Ni surface with a Ni hydroxide layer at the air-oxide interface and an oxide layer between the metal substrate and the outer hydroxide layer. The transformation from nickel or its oxides to hydroxides or oxyhydroxides could be further speeded up in the strong alkaline solution under the cyclic scanning at relatively high positive potential. The redox transition between Ni(OH)2 and NiOOH is also contributed to the electrocatalytic oxidation of Ni and its oxides toward small molecules in alkaline media. In addition, nickel based materials or nanomaterials, their preparations and applications are also overviewed here.

A new thiophenyl pyrazoline fluorescent probe for Cu2+ in aqueous solution and imaging in live cell

A new thiophenyl pyrazoline probe for Cu(2+) in aqueous solution was synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR, HRMS and X-ray analysis. The probe displays remarkably high selectivity and sensitivity for Cu(2+) with a detection limit of 1.919 × 10(-7) M in aqueous solution (EtOH:HEPES = 1:1, v/v, 0.02 M, pH = 7.2). In addition, the probe is further successfully used to image Cu(2+) in living cells and the probe possesses good reversibility.

Sensing and analysis of soluble phosphates in environmental samples: a review

Excess phosphate levels in water can lead to increased algal growth, eutrophication and reduced water quality. Phosphate levels in water are regulated by the EU through the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (annual mean total phosphorus concentrations of 1-2 mg/l) and the Water Framework Directive that will enforce "good ecological and chemical status" by 2015. Legislation is therefore driving the need for increased monitoring of soluble phosphate in water, escalating the desire for a direct, label free approach that could provide remote, continuous monitoring in real-time. The standard method for measuring soluble phosphate in water is a colourimetric technique developed in the 1960s. This colourimetric approach is difficult to adapt for on-line measurements, uses specific reagents which require safe disposal and thus incurs significant costs to the water industry when carried out on a large scale. This review considers optical and electrochemical sensors plus recent advances with synthetic receptors and molecularly imprinted polymers. Progress in the development of phosphate sensors, designed for use in a variety of disciplines, is highlighted with a view to adapting successful approaches for use in the water sector. Additional considerations include the need for long term stability, low maintenance, specificity for phosphate and the capability of measuring total phosphorus concentrations down to at least 1 mg/l, as required by legislation. A sensor that could directly measure soluble, inorganic phosphate concentrations would draw significant interest from the environment sector and other disciplines, including the agricultural, detergent and bio-medical industries.