Electro-oxidative polymerization of phenothiazine dyes into a multilayer-containing carbon nanotube on a glassy carbon electrode for the sensitive and low-potential detection of NADH

Electroanalytical biosensor based on GOx/FCA/PEG-modified SWCNT electrode for determination of glucose

This paper describes a simple electrochemical sensing platform based on single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) electrodes for glucose detection. The device fabrication using O2-plasma treatment allows precision and uniformity for the construction of three SWCNT electrodes on the flexible plastic substrate. Glucose assay can be simply accomplished by introducing a glucose sample into the fabricated biosensor. The marked electrocatalytic and biocompatible properties of biosensors based on SWCNT electrodes with the incorporation of ferrocenecarboxylic acid and polyethylene glycol enable effective amperometric measurement of glucose at a low oxidation potential (0.3 V) with low interferences from coexisting species. The device shows efficient electroanalytical performances with high sensitivity (5.5 μA·mM−1·cm−2), good reproducibility (CV less than 3%), and long-term stability (over a month). A linear range of response was found from 0 to 10 mM of glucose with a fast response time of 10 s. This attractive electroanalytical device based on GOx/FCA/PEG/SWCNT electrodes offers a promising system to facilitate a new approach for diverse biosensors and electrochemical devices.

3,9-Disubstituted Bis[1]benzothieno[3,2-b;2',3'-e][1,4]thiazines with Low Oxidation Potentials and Enhanced Emission

Dibrominated bis[1]benzothieno[3,2-b;2',3'-e][1,4]thiazines (BBTT) are efficiently synthesized and applied in Suzuki and Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling reactions to give access to 3,9-disubstituted BBTT derivatives with extended π-conjugation and enhanced electronic properties. For instance, 3,9-di(hetero)aryl substituted BBTT derivatives surpass their parent congeners phenothiazines with lower oxidation potentials and pronounced yellow to orange-red fluorescence (Φ_f ≈ 30-45%). In addition, 3,9-bis(di(hetero)arylamino substituted BBTT possess very high lying HOMO energy (E_HOMO = -4.46 to -4.83 eV), a favorable property of hole transport molecules. A representative X-ray structure analysis reveals that the central BBTT core in these extended π-systems is essentially planarized. Upon protonation of a 3,9-bis(di(hetero)arylamino) substituted BBTT, the absorption color shifts from yellow to deep blue with a concomitant loss of the emission. The optical properties of these novel BBTT derivatives can be plausibly rationalized by time-dependent density functional theory (TD(DFT)) calculations and correlation between experimentally determined oxidation potentials and σ_p parameters as well as between photophysical data and the specific substituent parameter σ_p^- by establishing electronic structure-property relationships.

Electrocatalysis of NADH oxidation using electrochemically activated fluphenazine on carbon nanotube electrode

Electrocatalytic determination of NADH using a hybrid surface-modified electrode with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and a novel electrogenerated redox mediator is described. The redox mediator precursor - fluphenazine (Flu) was adsorbed on MWCNT-modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode which was then subjected to electrochemical activation in 0.1 M H2SO4 using cyclic voltammetry (CV) over a range of potentials -0.2 to 1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl (6 scans at 100 mV s(-1)). Cyclic voltammograms of Flu indicated the formation of a stable electroactive material presenting one reversible redox couple at the formal potential of -0.115 vs. Ag/AgCl in a phosphate buffer (pH7.0) as a supporting electrolyte. The peaks increased linearly with increasing scan rate indicating electroactive molecules anchored to the electrode surface. The GC/MWCNT/Flu electrode efficiently catalyzed the oxidation of NADH with a decrease in the overpotential of about 600 mV and 150 mV compared to the bare GC and GC/MWCNT electrode, respectively. This modified electrode was successfully used as the working electrode in the chronoamperometric analysis. The peak current response to NADH was linear over its concentration range from 15 μM to 84 μM, and correlation coefficient 0.998. The limits of detection (5 μM) and quantitation (15 μM) were evaluated.

Electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on redox polymer/carbon nanotube modified electrodes: a review

The aim of this review is to present the contributions to the development of electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on polyphenazine or polytriphenylmethane redox polymers together with carbon nanotubes (CNT) during recent years. Phenazine polymers have been widely used in analytical applications due to their inherent charge transport properties and electrocatalytic effects. At the same time, since the first report on a CNT-based sensor, their application in the electroanalytical chemistry field has demonstrated that the unique structure and properties of CNT are ideal for the design of electrochemical (bio)sensors. We describe here that the specific combination of phenazine/triphenylmethane polymers with CNT leads to an improved performance of the resulting sensing devices, because of their complementary electrical, electrochemical and mechanical properties, and also due to synergistic effects. The preparation of polymer/CNT modified electrodes will be presented together with their electrochemical and surface characterization, with emphasis on the contribution of each component on the overall properties of the modified electrodes. Their importance in analytical chemistry is demonstrated by the numerous applications based on polymer/CNT-driven electrocatalytic effects, and their analytical performance as (bio) sensors is discussed.

Poly(brilliant green) and poly(thionine) modified carbon nanotube coated carbon film electrodes for glucose and uric acid biosensors

Poly(brilliant green) (PBG) and poly(thionine) (PTH) films have been formed on carbon film electrodes (CFEs) modified with carbon nanotubes (CNT) by electropolymerisation using potential cycling. Voltammetric and electrochemical impedance characterisation were performed. Glucose oxidase and uricase, as model enzymes, were immobilised on top of PBG/CNT/CFE and PTH/CNT/CFE for glucose and uric acid (UA) biosensing. Amperometric determination of glucose and UA was carried out in phosphate buffer pH 7.0 at -0.20 and +0.30 V vs. SCE, respectively, and the results were compared with other similarly modified electrodes existing in the literature. An interference study and recovery measurements in natural samples were successfully performed, indicating these architectures to be good and promising biosensor platforms.

Electrochemical oxidation of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide at nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube electrodes

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) substantially lower the overpotential necessary for dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidation compared to nondoped CNTs or traditional carbon electrodes such as glassy carbon (GC). We observe a 370 mV shift in the peak potential (Ep) from GC to CNTs and another 170 mV shift from CNTs to 7.4 atom % N-CNTs in a sodium phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) with 2.0 mM NADH (scan rate 10 mV/s). The sensitivity of 7.4 atom % N-CNTs to NADH was measured at 0.30 ± 0.04 A M(-1) cm(-2), with a limit of detection at 1.1 ± 0.3 μM and a linear range of 70 ± 10 μM poised at a low potential of -0.32 V (vs Hg/Hg2SO4). NADH fouling, known to occur to the electrode surface during NADH oxidation, was investigated by measuring both the change in Ep and the resulting loss of electrode sensitivity. NADH degradation, known to occur in phosphate buffer, was characterized by absorbance at 340 nm and correlated with the loss of NADH electroactivity. N-CNTs are further demonstrated to be an effective platform for dehydrogenase-based biosensing by allowing glucose dehydrogenase to spontaneously adsorb onto the N-CNT surface and measuring the resulting electrode's sensitivity to glucose. The glucose biosensor had a sensitivity of 0.032 ± 0.003 A M(-1) cm(-2), a limit of detection at 6 ± 1 μM, and a linear range of 440 ± 50 μM.

Optical detection of NADH based on biocatalytic growth of Au-Ag core-shell nanoparticles

We have developed an optical assay for NADH (Dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) based on the catalytic growth of gold-silver core-shell nanoparticles (Au-Ag-CSNPs). The nanoparticles were immobilized on pretreated glass slide and are shown to catalyze the NADH-mediated reduction of Ag(I) ions in the presence of 1,4-benzoquinone and cetyltrimethyl ammonium ion. This leads to the formation of Au-Ag-CSNPs on the glass. The absorption peak of the Au-Ag-CSNPs at 415 nm increases with the concentration of NADH in the solution used, and this can be measured by UV-vis photometry. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy analysis of the morphology of the surface of the Au-Ag-CSNPs before and after the catalytic reaction revealed a growth of their diameter. Under optimal conditions, NADH can be determined in the concentration range from 0.2 to 3.2mM, and the detection limit is 15.6 μM. The sensor has good precision and good storage stability, simple in operation, and can be fabricated at low costs, which made it suitable for the determination of NADH in complex biological systems and in related degradation processes of contaminants.

A simple route to fabricate controllable and stable multilayered all-MWNTs films and their applications for the detection of NADH at low potentials

This study demonstrates a polyelectrolyte-free method to fabricate controllable and stable all-MWNTs films via a covalent layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition. Aminated MWNTs and carboxylated MWNTs were prepared by surface functionalization, allowing the incorporation of MWNTs into highly tunable thin films through the formation of covalent amide bonds. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis demonstrated the formation of covalent linkages between MWNTs layers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) were used to characterize the assembly process. Electrochemical studies indicated that the all-MWNTs film possessed a remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at relatively low potentials, without the need for redox mediators. The film thickness and the amount of assembled MWNTs were readily adjusted by simply changing the number of cycles in the LBL assembly process, which also effectively tuned the electrocatalytic activity of the film toward NADH. The film constructed with four bilayers showed a high sensitivity of 223.8μA mM(-1)cm(-2) and a detection limit of 1.5μM, with a fast response of less than 3s. Furthermore, the all-MWNTs film also showed good selectivity and excellent stability for the determination of NADH.

Electrochemical behavior of Azure A/gold nanoclusters modified electrode and its application as non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor

A novel non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor was developed using Azure A/gold nanoclusters modified graphite electrode. The method of preparation of Azure A/gold nanoclusters was simple and it was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and confocal Raman microscopy. The electrochemical properties of Azure A/gold nanoclusters modified graphite electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry. In 0.1M H(2)SO(4) the modified electrode showed redox peaks which correspond to the redox behavior of gold nanoparticle. In 0.1M PBS the modified electrode exhibited well defined redox peaks with the formal potential of -0.253 V which is analogous to the redox reaction of Azure A. The results have shown that the gold nanoclusters has reduced the formal potential of Azure A and enhanced the current due to the fast charge transfer kinetics. Also the modified electrode showed an enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H(2)O(2) in the concentration range of 3.26×10(-6)M to 3.2×10(-3)M with a detection limit of 1.08×10(-6)M (S/N=3). The proposed electrode exhibited good stability and reproducibility, and it has the potential application as a sensor for other biologically significant compounds.

Electroanalytical Characterisation of Dopa Decarboxylase Inhibitors Carbidopa and Benserazide on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube and Poly(Nile blue A) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes

Modified glassy carbon electrodes have been made by deposition of functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) followed by formation of poly(Nile blue) (PNB) films by electropolymerisation, using potential cycling in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at pH 6.0. The electrochemical oxidation of carbidopa (CD) and benserazide (BS) on these MWCNTs/PNB-modified electrodes was investigated using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry in 0.1 M PBS at different values of pH between 5.0 and 8.0; both CD and BS gave one diffusion-controlled irreversible oxidation peak in cyclic voltammetry. Analytical characterisation of CD and BS was carried out in 0.1 M PBS, pH 5.0. Peak currents in differential pulse voltammetry were linear over the concentration range of1×10−5to1×10−4 M for CD and4×10−6to4×10−5 M for BS. The repeatability, precision, and accuracy of the method were also investigated. Higher sensitivities and lower detection limits, of 1.17 μM for CD and 0.50 μM for BS, were obtained with this new modified electrode compared with previous studies reported in the literature.