Electrode interfaces switchable by physical and chemical signals for biosensing, biofuel, and biocomputing applications

Self-powered logically operated fluorescent detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV)

In this study, a novel sensing strategy based on double sensing/actuating pathway is demonstrated, being capable to trigger the DNA-based AND gate for the sensitive and selective detection of hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA). Such an approach encompasses an enzymatic machinery logically operated using the variation of physiologically relevant biomarkers for liver dysfunctions. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are used as inputs of an AND gate generating an output signal, namely lactate. In particular, lactate is oxidized back to pyruvate at the anodic electrode by lactate oxidase connected in mediated electron transfer through ferrocene moieties (creating an amplifying recycling mechanism). The anodic electrode is further connected with a Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase (MvBOx) based biocathode modified with SiO₂ nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) functionalized with phenyl boronic acid and trigonelline, triggering the release of quenching DNA (qDNA) upon local pH change at the electrode surface (notably, modified SiONPs gets negatively recharged upon local pH gradient releasing negatively charged DNA). Next, the released qDNA labeled with BHQ2 and detecting DNA (dDNA, labeled with FAM) are detecting HBV-DNA. The proposed biosensor can discriminate between the absence and presence of HBV-DNA setting the threshold at 0.05 fM in model buffer solutions and 1 fM in human serum. This enzymatic/DNA logic network can be of particular interest for future biomedical applications (e.g., early detection of liver cancer disease etc.). In the future development this technology could be easily integrated with a smartphone camera, allowing more user-friendly applications.

Thermally responsive reduced graphene oxide with electroactive functionality for controllable electroanalysis

A thermally responsive hybrid poly(NIPAm-b-BVIm[FcCOO])-rGO composed of block co-polymer poly(NIPAm-b-BVImBr), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and electroactive anions was designed and synthesized to achieve electroactive functionality. It is the polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) segment in the block co-polymer that integrated the three different components into a whole hybrid. Such segment of PILs could not only promote the modification of polar PNIPAm onto the non-polar rGO by cation-π interaction, but also realize the immobilization of ferrocenecarboxylate anion (FcCOO^-) via anion-exchange reaction. The PNIPAm moiety endowed the poly(NIPAm-b-BVIm[FcCOO])-rGO with thermal responsiveness, while the anion moiety provided additional electroactive function. It is noteworthy that the conformational change of PNIPAm segment upon different temperature could reveal or seal the redox probe of FcCOO^-, thereby leading to a controllable expression of electroactivity switching by thermal stimuli. Owing to such regulation on surface property and conformation of PNIPAm segment, the modified electrode exhibited excellent thermally responsive electrocatalysis with reversible 'ON-OFF' effect toward the detection of ascorbic acid (AA), which led to two different catalytic states at the same electrode. The reversible electrocatalytic performance with switching capability of the poly(NIPAm-b-BVIm[FcCOO])-rGO/GCE is expected to have a broad application in the field of intelligent electrochemical sensors and devices.

Flexible Anion Microbatteries: Towards Construction of a Hybrid Battery-Capacitor Device

A proof-of-principle study is presented on the rechargeable anion storage capability of ferrocyanide immobilized in a polysilsesquioxane (PSQ)-modified flexible/rigid film for aqueous battery applications. This electrode material delivers high power density up to 140 μWh cm^-2 and energy density of 9.4 μWh cm^-2 with a long cycle life of more than 200 cycles in chloride ion medium. The proposed energy storage mechanism of this system is based on insertion and extraction of the anion into the [Fe(CN)₆ ]^4- -PSQ film during charging and discharging processes, respectively. Moreover, a hybrid battery-capacitor device comprising a graphite rod (capacitor) and the ferrocyanide-immobilized PSQ film as a faradaic electrode shows enhanced electrochemical performance.

Enzyme-based logic systems interfaced with signal-responsive materials and electrodes

Enzyme-based biocomputing systems were interfaced with signal-responsive membranes and electrodes resulting in bioelectronic devices switchable by logically processed biomolecular signals. "Smart" membranes, electrodes, biofuel cells, memristors and substance-releasing systems were activated by various combinations of biomolecular signals in the pre-programmed way implemented in biocatalytic cascades mimicking logic networks.

Programming the quorum sensing-based AND gate in Shewanella oneidensis for logic gated-microbial fuel cells

A modularly structured, flexible, and reprogrammable AND logic gate gene circuit-controlled microbial fuel cell.

Biomacromolecular logic gate, encoder/decoder and keypad lock based on DNA damage with electrochemiluminescence and electrochemical signals as outputs

Biomacromolecular logic devices including a keypad lock were developed based on the damage of natural DNA in Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ solution.

pH-Switchable electroactive composite films of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes and Prussian blue

Here the combination of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CMWCNTs) and Prussian blue (PB) for fabricating pH-responsive electroactive composite thin films is reported.

Activation of a biocatalytic electrode by removing glucose oxidase from the surface--application to signal triggered drug release

A biocatalytic electrode activated by pH signals was prepared with a multilayered nanostructured interface including PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) directly associated with the conducting support and glucose oxidase (GOx) located on the external interface. GOx was immobilized through a pH-signal-cleavable linker composed of an iminobiotin/avidin complex. In the presence of GOx, glucose was intercepted at the external interface and biocatalytically oxidized without current generation, thus keeping the electrode in its nonactive state. When the pH value was lowered from pH 7.5 to 4.5 the iminobiotin/avidin complex was cleaved and GOx was removed from the interface allowing glucose penetration to the electrode surface where it was oxidized by PQQ-GDH yielding a bioelectrocatalytic current, thus switching the electrode to its active state. This process was used to trigger a drug-mimicking release process from another connected electrode. Furthermore, the pH-switchable electrode can be activated by biochemical signals logically processed by biocatalytic systems mimicking various Boolean gates. Therefore, the developed switchable electrode can interface biomolecular computing/sensing systems with drug-release processes.

On/Off-switchable zipper-like bioelectronics on a graphene interface

An on/off-switchable graphene-based zipper-like interface is architectured for efficient bioelectrocatalysis. The graphene interface transduces a temperature input signal into structural changes of the membrane, resulting in the amplification of electrochemical signals and their transformation into the gated transport of molecules through the membrane.

ON/OFF states of a microbial fuel cell controlled by an optical switching system

An optical switching system was developed to control the ON/OFF state of a microbial fuel cell.