Electrochemical Detection of Selenium (IV) and (VI) at Gold-Modified Diamond Electrodes

Aptamer and Electrochemical Aptasensor towards Selenate Ions (SeO42-)

Selenium is an essential inorganic compound in human and animal nutrition, involved in the proper functioning of the body. As a micronutrient, it actively contributes to the regulation of various metabolic activities, i.e., thyroid hormone, and protection against oxidative stress. However, Se exhibits a narrow concentration window between having a positive effect and exerting a toxic effect. In higher doses, it negatively affects living organisms and causes DNA damage through the formation of free radicals. Increased reactivity of Se anions can also disrupt the integrity and function of DNA-repairing proteins. As the permissible concentration of Se in drinking water is 10 µg/L, it is vital to develop sensitive and robust methods of Se detection in aqueous samples. In this study, for the first time, we proposed a selective aptamer for selenate ion detection, chosen following the SELEX process, and its application in the construction of an electrochemical aptasensor towards SeO42- ions. Measurement conditions such as the used redox marker and pH value of the measurement solution were chosen. The proposed aptasensor is characterized by good selectivity and an LOD of 1 nM. Conditions for biosensor regeneration and storage were also investigated in this research.

Materials interacting with inorganic selenium from the perspective of electrochemical sensing

Inorganic selenium, the most common form of harmful selenium in the environment, can be determined using electrochemical sensors, which are compact, fast, reliable and easy-to-operate devices. Despite progress in this area, there is still significant room for developing high-performance selenium electrochemical sensors. To achieve this, one should take into account (i) the electrochemical process that selenium undergoes on the electrode; (ii) the valence state of selenium species in the sample and (iii) modification of the sensor surface by a material with high affinity to selenium. The goal of this review is to provide a knowledge base for these issues. After the Introduction section, mechanisms and principles of the electrochemical reduction of selenium are introduced, followed by a section introducing the modification of electrodes with materials interacting with selenium and a section dedicated to speciation methods, including the reduction of non-detectable Se(VI) to detectable Se(IV). In the following sections, the main types of materials (metallic, polymers, hybrid (nano)materials…) interacting with inorganic selenium (mostly absorbents) are reviewed to show the diversity of properties that may be endowed to sensors if the materials were to be used for the modification of electrodes. These features for the main material categories are outlined in the conclusion section, where it is stated that the engineered polymers may be the most promising modifiers.

Modification of boron-doped diamond electrodes with gold-palladium nanoparticles for an oxygen sensor

Modification of boron-doped diamond (BDD) with gold-palladium nanoparticles (Au@PdNPs) was successfully performed. Prior to the modification, BDD was modified with allylamine to provide active sites for the attachment of nanoparticles, while the synthesis of Au@PdNPs was performed by chemical reduction of a palladium salt solution in a colloidal solution of gold nanoparticles. Characterization using TEM images showed that by controlling the palladium concentration, flower and core-shell shaped Au@PdNPs can be prepared. XPS studies confirmed that the nanoparticles with a flower shape could be attached better on the BDD surface. The Au@PdNPs-modified BDD (Au@PdNPs-BDD) electrodes were then examined for the oxygen reduction reaction in comparison with gold and palladium-based electrodes. One order higher current response was observed at Au@PdNPs-BDD compared to AuNPs-BDD, indicating the contribution of palladium in the oxygen reduction reaction. Good linearity with comparable limits of detection suggested that Au@PdNPs-BDD electrodes are promising for use as oxygen sensors. Furthermore, their application as BOD sensors was demonstrated.

Electrochemical, Spectroscopic, and Computational Investigations on Redox Reactions of Selenium Species on Galena Surfaces

Despite previous studies investigating selenium (Se) redox reactions in the presence of semiconducting minerals, Se redox reactions mediated by galena (PbS) are poorly understood. In this study, the redox chemistry of Se on galena is investigated over a range of environmentally relevant Eh and pH conditions (+0.3 to −0.6 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode, SHE; pH 4.6) using a combination of electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational approaches. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements reveal one anodic/cathodic peak pair at a midpoint potential of +30 mV (vs. SHE) that represents reduction and oxidation between HSeO3− and H2Se/HSe−. Two peak pairs with midpoint potentials of −400 and −520 mV represent the redox transformation from Se(0) to HSe− and H2Se species, respectively. The changes in Gibbs free energies of adsorption of Se species on galena surfaces as a function of Se oxidation state were modeled using quantum-mechanical calculations and the resulting electrochemical peak shifts are (−0.17 eV for HSeO3−/H2Se, −0.07 eV for HSeO3−/HSe−, 0.15 eV for Se(0)/HSe−, and −0.15 eV for Se(0)/H2Se). These shifts explain deviation between Nernstian equilibrium redox potentials and observed midpoint potentials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveals the formation of Se(0) potentials below −100 mV and Se(0) and Se(−II) species at potentials below −400 mV.