Selective Electrochemical Sensing of NADH and NAD+Using Graphene/Tungstate Nanocomposite Modified Electrode

Nanomaterials functionalized acidic ionic organosilica as highly active catalyst in the selective synthesis of benzimidazole via dehydrogenative coupling of diamines and alcohols

An acidic tungstate-based zwitterionic organosilica drived simple self-condensation of tungstic acid and zwitterionic organosilane (PMO-IL-WO42-), was remarkably demonstrated to be highly efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst for directly selective synthesis of benzimidazoles from benzyl alcohols under atmpshpheric air pressure and without any additional oxidant. The one-pot synthesis of benzimidazoles from benzyl alcohols and 1,2-phenylenediamine was efficiently achieved via direct dehydrogenative reaction using a low amount of recoverable PMO-IL-WO42- nanocatalyst in water under ambient conditions with a conversion efficiency of more than 90%. Enhancements in yield and selectivity of benzimidazole formation were observed when water was utilized as the solvent. Furthermore, the PMO-IL-WO42- nanocatalyst exhibited exceptional stability, demonstrating the ability to be effortlessly separated and reused for at least eight reaction cycles without any noticeable loss in activity or product selectivity. This method supports an eco-friendly atom economy and provides a sustainable approach to accessing benzimidazoles directly from benzyl alcohols under mild conditions, demonstrating its potential for practical applications in organic synthesis.

Amperometric determination of salivary thiocyanate using electrochemically fabricated poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/MXene hybrid film

Thiocyanate (SCN) is a hazardous byproduct of the detoxification of cyanide. Even in minute quantity, the SCN has a negative impact on health. Although there are several ways for SCN analysis, an efficient electrochemical procedure has hardly ever been attempted. Here, the author reports the development of a highly selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor for SCN utilizing Poly (3, 4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) incorporated MXene (PEDOT/MXene) modified screen-printed electrode (SPE). The Raman, X-ray photoelectron (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses support the effective integration of PEDOT on the MXene surface. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is employed to demonstrate the formation of MXene and PEDOT/MXene hybrid film. In order to specifically detect SCN in phosphate buffer media (pH 7.4), the PEDOT/MXene hybrid film is grown on the SPE surface via the electrochemical deposition method. Under the optimized condition, the PEDOT/MXene/SPE-based sensor provides a linear response against SCN from 10 to 100 µM and 0.1 μM to 1000 μM with the lowest limit of detections (LOD) of 1.44 μM and 0.0325 μM by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and amperometry, respectively. For accurate detection of SCN, our newly created PEDOT/MXene hybrid film-coated SPE demonstrates excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and repeatability. Ultimately, this novel sensor can be used to detect SCN precisely in environmental and biological samples.

Palladium Hydroxide (Pearlman's Catalyst) Doped MXene (Ti3C2Tx) Composite Modified Electrode for Selective Detection of Nicotine in Human Sweat

High concentrations of nicotine (40 to 60 mg) are more dangerous for adults who weigh about 70 kg. Herein, we developed an electrochemical transducer using an MXene (Ti₃C₂Tx)/palladium hydroxide-supported carbon (Pearlman's catalyst) composite (MXene/Pd(OH)₂/C) for the identification of nicotine levels in human sweat. Firstly, the MXene was doped with Pd(OH)₂/C (PHC) by mechanical grinding followed by an ultrasonication process to obtain the MXene/PHC composite. Secondly, XRD, Raman, FE-SEM, EDS and E-mapping analysis were utilized to confirm the successful formation of MXene/PHC composite. Using MXene/PHC composite dispersion, an MXene/PHC composite-modified glassy carbon electrode (MXene/PHC/GCE) was prepared, which showed high sensitivity as well as selectivity towards nicotine (300 µM NIC) oxidation in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH = 7.4) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry. The MXene/PHC/GCE had reduced the over potential of nicotine oxidation (about 200 mV) and also enhanced the oxidation peak current (8.9 µA) compared to bare/GCE (2.1 µA) and MXene/GCE (5.5 µA). Moreover, the optimized experimental condition was used for the quantification of NIC from 0.25 µM to 37.5 µM. The limit of detection (LOD) and sensitivity were 27 nM and 0.286 µA µM^-1 cm², respectively. The MXene/PHC/GCE was also tested in the presence of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, dopamine and glucose. These molecules were not interfered during NIC analysis, which indicated the good selectivity of the MXene/PHC/GCE sensor. In addition, electrochemical determination of NIC was successfully carried out in the human sweat samples collected from a tobacco smoker. The recovery percentage of NIC in the sweat sample was 97%. Finally, we concluded that the MXene/PHC composite-based sensor can be prepared for the accurate determination of NIC with high sensitivity, selectivity and stability in human sweat samples.

Electrochemical Sensing of Glucose Using Glucose Oxidase/PEDOT:4-Sulfocalix [4]arene/MXene Composite Modified Electrode

Glucose is one of the most important monosaccharides found in the food, as a part of more complex structures, which is a primary energy source for the brain and body. Thus, the monitoring of glucose concentration is more important in food and biological samples in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Herein, an electrochemical glucose biosensor was fabricated by immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOX) onto poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):4-sulfocalix [4]arene (PEDOT:SCX)/MXene modified electrode. For this purpose, firstly, PEDOT was synthesized in the presence of SCX (counterion) by the chemical oxidative method. Secondly, MXene (a 2D layered material) was synthesized by using a high-temperature furnace under a nitrogen atmosphere. After that, PEDOT:SCX/MXene (1:1) dispersion was prepared by ultrasonication which was later utilized to prepare PEDOT:SCX/MXene hybrid film. A successful formation of PEDOT:SCX/MXene film was confirmed by HR-SEM, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopies. Due to the biocompatibility nature, successful immobilization of GOX was carried out onto chitosan modified PEDOT:SCX/MXene/GCE. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of PEDOT:SCX/MXene/GOX/GCE was studied through cyclic voltammetry and amperometry methods. Interestingly, a stable redox peak of FAD-GOX was observed at a formal potential of –0.435 V on PEDOT:SCX/MXene/GOX/GCE which indicated a direct electron transfer between the enzyme and the electrode surface. PEDOT:SCX/MXene/GOX/GCE also exhibited a linear response against glucose concentrations in the linear range from 0.5 to 8 mM. The effect of pH, sensors reproducibility, and repeatability of the PEDOT:SCX/MXene/GOX/GCE sensor were studied. Finally, this new biosensor was successfully applied to detect glucose in commercial fruit juice sample with satisfactory recovery.

Biocompatible MXene (Ti3C2Tx) Immobilized with Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide as an Electrochemical Transducer for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is a coenzyme and acts as a redox cofactor in metabolic process. Owing to such problems as poor electron transfer properties, unfavorable adsorption, and lack of stability on rigid electrodes, the bio-electrochemical applications of FAD have been limited. Herein, a novel fabrication method was developed for the immobilization process using 2D MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x), which enhanced the redox property of FAD and improved the electro-catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in neutral medium. The FAD-immobilized Ti₃C₂T_x electrode (FAD/Ti₃C₂T_x) was studied by UV-Visible and Raman spectroscopies, which confirmed the successful adsorption of FAD on the Ti₃C₂T_x surface. The surface morphology and the elemental composition of Ti₃C₂T_x were investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and the energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The redox property of the FAD/Ti₃C₂T_x modified glassy carbon electrode (FAD/Ti₃C₂T_x/GCE) was highly dependent on pH and exhibited a stable redox peak at −0.455 V in neutral medium. Higher amounts of FAD molecules were loaded onto the 2D MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x)-modified electrode, which was two times higher than the values in the reported work, and the surface coverage (ᴦ_FAD) was 0.8 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol/cm². The FAD/Ti₃C₂T_x modified sensor showed the electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ at −0.47 V, which was 130 mV lower than the bare electrode. The FAD/Ti₃C₂T_x/GCE sensor showed a linear detection of H₂O₂ from 5 nM to 2 µM. The optimization of FAD deposition, amount of Ti₃C₂T_x loading, effect of pH and the interference study with common biochemicals such as glucose, lactose, dopamine (DA), potassium chloride (KCl), ascorbic acid (AA), amino acids, uric acid (UA), oxalic acid (OA), sodium chloride (NaCl) and acetaminophen (PA) have been carried out. The FAD/Ti₃C₂T_x/GCE showed high selectivity and reproducibility. Finally, the FAD/Ti₃C₂T_x modified electrode was successfully applied to detect H₂O₂ in ovarian cancer cell lines.

Carbon Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Functionalization and Sensing Applications

Recent advances in nanomaterial design and synthesis has resulted in robust sensing systems that display superior analytical performance. The use of nanomaterials within sensors has accelerated new routes and opportunities for the detection of analytes or target molecules. Among others, carbon-based sensors have reported biocompatibility, better sensitivity, better selectivity and lower limits of detection to reveal a wide range of organic and inorganic molecules. Carbon nanomaterials are among the most extensively studied materials because of their unique properties spanning from the high specific surface area, high carrier mobility, high electrical conductivity, flexibility, and optical transparency fostering their use in sensing applications. In this paper, a comprehensive review has been made to cover recent developments in the field of carbon-based nanomaterials for sensing applications. The review describes nanomaterials like fullerenes, carbon onions, carbon quantum dots, nanodiamonds, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Synthesis of these nanostructures has been discussed along with their functionalization methods. The recent application of all these nanomaterials in sensing applications has been highlighted for the principal applicative field and the future prospects and possibilities have been outlined.