Boron-doped Graphene quantum dots modified electrode for electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin

Traditional methods and biosensors for detecting disinfection by-products in water: A review

In recent years, pollution caused by disinfection by-products (DBPs) has become a global concern. Initially, there were fewer contaminants, and the mechanism of their generation was unclear; however, the number of contaminants has increased exponentially as a result of rapid industrialization and numerous economic activities (e.q., during the outbreak of COVID-19 a surge in the use of chlorinated disinfectants was observed). DBP toxicity results in various adverse health effects and organ failure in humans. In addition, it profoundly affects other forms of life, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. This review comprehensively discusses the pre-treatment methods of traditional and emerging DBPs and the technologies applied for their detection. Additionally, this paper provides a detailed discussion of the principles, applicability, and characteristics of traditional large-scale instrumentation methods (such as gas/liquid/ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) for detecting DBPs based on their respective detection techniques. At the same time, the design, functionality, classification, and characteristics of rapid detection technologies (such as biosensors) are also detailed and analyzed.

Preparation of electrochemical horseradish peroxidase biosensor with black phosphorene-zinc oxide nanocomposite and their applications

In this work, a novel and sensitive electrochemical biosensor was constructed based on a black phosphorene (BP) and nanosized zinc oxide (ZnO@BP) nanocomposite as a modifier, which was used for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE). The ZnO@BP nanocomposite was synthesized by a simple in situ hydrothermal method with stripped black phosphorus nanoplates and ZnO. The ZnO@BP and HRP-modified electrode was developed by a casting method. ZnO@BP with highly conductivity, large surface area and good biocompatibility could maintain the bioactivity of HRP and accelerate the electron transfer rate. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the direct electrochemistry of HRP on the Nafion/HRP/ZnO@BP/CILE with the appearance of a pair of distinct redox peaks. The constructed electrochemical HRP biosensor exhibited excellent electrocatalytic effects on the reduction of trichloroacetic acid and sodium nitrite. Real samples were detected with satisfactory results, which demonstrated the potential applications of this electrochemical HRP biosensor.

Facile synthesis of Ag@Fe3O4/ZnO nanomaterial for label-free electrochemical detection of methemoglobin in anemic patients

Methemoglobinemia (MetHb, Fe³⁺) is a chronic disease arising from the unequal distribution of oxyhemoglobin (HbFe²⁺, OHb) in the blood circulatory system. The oxidation of standard oxyhemoglobin forms methemoglobin, causing cyanosis (skin bluish staining). Methemoglobin cannot bind the pulmonary gaseous ligands such as oxygen (O₂) and carbon monoxide (CO). As an oxidizing agent, the biochemical approach (MetHb, Fe³⁺) is modified in vitro by sodium nitrite (NaNO₂). The silver-doped iron zinc oxide (Ag@Fe₃O₄/ZnO) is hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques for the electrochemical sensing of methemoglobin via cyclic voltammetry (CV). Detection parameters such as concentration, pH, scan rate, electrochemical active surface area (ECSA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are optimized. The linear limit of detection for Ag@Fe₃O₄/ZnO is 0.17 µM. The stability is determined by 100 cycles of CV and chronoamperometry for 40 h. The serum samples of anemia patients with different hemoglobin levels (Hb) are analyzed using Ag@Fe₃O₄/ZnO modified biosensor. The sensor's stability, selectivity, and response suggest its use in methemoglobinemia monitoring.

Preparation and Application of Electrochemical Horseradish Peroxidase Sensor Based on a Black Phosphorene and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite

To design a new electrochemical horseradish peroxidase (HRP) biosensor with excellent analytical performance, black phosphorene (BP) nanosheets and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) nanocomposites were used as the modifier, with a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) as the substrate electrode. The SWCNTs-BP nanocomposite was synthesized by a simple in situ mixing procedure and modified on the CILE surface by the direct casting method. Then HRP was immobilized on the modified electrode with Nafion film. The electrocatalysis of this electrochemical HRP biosensor to various targets was further explored. Experimental results indicated that the direct electrochemistry of HRP was realized with a pair of symmetric and quasi-reversible redox peaks appeared, which was due to the presence of SWCNTs-BP on the surface of CILE, exhibiting synergistic effects with high electrical conductivity and good biocompatibility. Excellent electrocatalytic activity to trichloroacetic acid (TCA), sodium nitrite (NaNO₂), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were realized, with a wide linear range and a low detection limit. Different real samples, such as a medical facial peel solution, the soak water of pickled vegetables, and a 3% H₂O₂ disinfectant, were further analyzed, with satisfactory results, further proving the potential practical applications for the electrochemical biosensor.

Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Carbon Dots as Electrochemical Biosensing Composites

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have been extensively used as electrochemical sensing composites due to their interesting chemical, electronic, and mechanical properties giving rise to increased performance. Due to these materials' unknown long-term ecological fate, care must be given to make their use tractable. In this review, the design and use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and carbon dots (CDs) as electrochemical sensing electrocatalysts applied to the working electrode surface are surveyed for various biosensing applications. Graphene and CDs are readily biodegradable as compared to CNTs. Design elements for CNTs that carry over to graphene and CDs include Coulombic attraction of components and using O or N atoms that serve as tethering points for attaching electrocatalytically active nanoparticles (NPs) and/or other additives.

A Review of Nanocomposite-Modified Electrochemical Sensors for Water Quality Monitoring

Electrochemical sensors play a significant role in detecting chemical ions, molecules, and pathogens in water and other applications. These sensors are sensitive, portable, fast, inexpensive, and suitable for online and in-situ measurements compared to other methods. They can provide the detection for any compound that can undergo certain transformations within a potential window. It enables applications in multiple ion detection, mainly since these sensors are primarily non-specific. In this paper, we provide a survey of electrochemical sensors for the detection of water contaminants, i.e., pesticides, nitrate, nitrite, phosphorus, water hardeners, disinfectant, and other emergent contaminants (phenol, estrogen, gallic acid etc.). We focus on the influence of surface modification of the working electrodes by carbon nanomaterials, metallic nanostructures, imprinted polymers and evaluate the corresponding sensing performance. Especially for pesticides, which are challenging and need special care, we highlight biosensors, such as enzymatic sensors, immunobiosensor, aptasensors, and biomimetic sensors. We discuss the sensors' overall performance, especially concerning real-sample performance and the capability for actual field application.

A fungus-derived biomass porous carbon-MnO2 nanocomposite-modified electrode for the voltammetric determination of rutin

In this study, we designed a simple procedure for the synthesis of fungus-derived biomass porous carbon (FBPC), which was further used to prepare a MnO₂@FBPC composite by a hydrothermal method. The MnO₂@FBPC nanocomposite showed a porous structure, large specific surface area, and high conductivity, and was modified on the carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) to obtain a working electrode for the sensitive voltammetric determination of rutin. The electrochemical response of rutin was studied via cyclic voltammetry with electrochemical parameters calculated. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range for the rutin analysis was obtained by the differential pulse voltammetry from 0.008 to 700.0 μmol L^-1 with the detection limit of 2.67 nmol L^-1 (3σ). This MnO₂@FBPC/CILE was applied to directly detect the rutin concentration in drug and human urine samples with satisfactory results.

Nanobiosensing with graphene and carbon quantum dots: Recent advances

Graphene and carbon quantum dots (GQDs and CQDs) are relatively new nanomaterials that have demonstrated impact in multiple different fields thanks to their unique quantum properties and excellent biocompatibility. Biosensing, analyte detection and monitoring wherein a key feature is coupled molecular recognition and signal transduction, is one such field that is being greatly advanced by the use of GQDs and CQDs. In this review, recent progress on the development of biotransducers and biosensors enabled by the creative use of GQDs and CQDs is reviewed, with special emphasis on how these materials specifically interface with biomolecules to improve overall analyte detection. This review also introduces nano-enabled biotransducers and different biosensing configurations and strategies, as well as highlights key properties of GQDs and CQDs that are pertinent to functional biotransducer design. Following relevant introductory material, the literature is surveyed with emphasis on work performed over the last 5 years. General comments and suggestions to advance the direction and potential of the field are included throughout the review. The strategic purpose is to inspire and guide future investigations into biosensor design for quality and safety, as well as serve as a primer for developing GQD- and CQD-based biosensors.

Carbon Nitride Nanosheet and Myoglobin Modified Electrode for Electrochemical Sensing Investigations

Background:

Carbon-based nanomaterials, especially carbon nitride (C3N4) has attracted tremendous interest in biosensor applications. Meanwhile, the mechanism of redox protein sensing and related electrocatalytic reactions can provide a valid basis for understanding the process of biological redox reaction.

Objective:

The aim of this paper is to construct a new electrochemical enzyme sensor to achieve direct electron transfer of myoglobin (Mb) on CILE surface and display electrocatalytic reduction activity to catalyze trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and H2O2.

Methods:

The working electrode was fabricated based on ionic liquid modified Carbon Paste Electrode (CILE) and C3N4 nanosheets were modified on the CILE surface, then Mb solution was fixed on C3N4/CILE surface and immobilized by using Nafion film. The as-prepared biosensor displayed satisfactory electrocatalytic ability towards the reduction of TCA and H2O2 in an optimum pH 7.0 buffer solution.

Results:

The results indicated that C3N4 modified electrode retained the activity of the enzyme and displayed quasi-reversible redox behavior in an optimum pH 7.0 buffer solution. The electrochemical parameters of the immobilized Mb on the electrode surface were further calculated with the results of the electron transfer number (n) as 1.27, the charge transfer coefficient (α) as 0.53 and the electrontransfer rate constant (ks) as 3.32 s-1, respectively. The Nafion/Mb/C3N4/CILE displayed outstanding electrocatalytic reduction activity to catalyze trichloroacetic acid and H2O2.

Conclusion:

The Nafion/Mb/C3N4/CILE displayed outstanding electrocatalytic reduction, which demonstrated the promising applications of C3N4 nanosheet in the field electrochemical biosensing.

Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin Based on Graphene Quantum Dots Modified Electrode

Background:

Graphene quantum dots (GQD) is a new member of carbon nanomaterial that has attracted increasing attention owing to its better chemical inertness, low cytotoxicity, large specific surface area, cheap cost, suitable conductivity and excellent biocompatibility.

Methods:

Electrochemical behaviors of this modified electrode were studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Electrochemical investigations of Nafion/Hb/GQD/ CILE were carried out with electrochemical parameters calculated.

Results:

In the phosphate buffer solution with a pH value of 5.0, good linear relationships between the catalytic reduction current and the concentration of substrate were got for TCA (6.0~100.0 mmol·L-1), NaNO2 (2.0~12.0 mmol·L-1) and H2O2 (6.0~30.0 mmol·L-1). The proposed method was applied to NaNO2 concentration detection in soak water from picked vegetables with satisfactory results.

Conclusion:

This Nafion/Hb/GQD/CILE had a good bioelectrocatalytic activity to different substrates such as trichloroacetic acid, NaNO2 and H2O2 reduction with the advantages including wide detection range, low detection limit and good stability. Therefore, the application of GQD in electrochemical sensor was extended in this paper.

Modification of electrodes with N-and S-doped carbon dots. Evaluation of the electrochemical response

Nitrogen and sulphur-doped Carbons Dots (N-CDs and S-CDs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and incorporated as surface electrode modifiers to evaluate their properties for electrochemical sensing. The first task was to characterize the synthesized materials, for which different spectroscopies, scanning microscopes, mass spectrometry and elementary analysis were performed. Next, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was surface-modified with the doped CDs and applied to check the electrochemical signal of different organic compounds corresponding to different families. Water solubility of the doped carbon dots forced us to incorporate them in a graphite-polystyrene ink to complete the modification of electrodes. This modification needed a first activation to obtain a properly conductive surface. The organic compounds examined were salicylic acid, cysteine and ascorbic acid. The modified GCEs exhibited an enhanced sensitivity, probably caused by the increase of active surface, but in addition, signals of salicylic acid were shifted ca. 200 mV to lower potentials, what is a proof of the increase of the heterogeneous electron transfer rate, and a demonstration of an enhanced catalytic response.

Recent Advances on Electrochemical Sensors for the Detection of Organic Disinfection Byproducts in Water

Irreversible organ damage or even death frequently occurs when humans or animals unknowingly drink contaminated water. Therefore, in many countries drinking water is disinfected to ensure removal of harmful pathogens from drinking water. If upstream water treatment prior to disinfection is not adequate, disinfection byproducts (DBPs) can be formed. DBPs can exist as wide variety of compounds, but up until now, only several typical compounds have drinking water standards attributed to them. However, it is apparent that the range of DBPs present in water can comprise hundreds of compounds, some of which are at high enough concentrations to be toxic or potentially carcinogenic. Hence, it becomes increasingly significant and urgent to develop an accessible, affordable, and durable sensing platform for a broader range and more sensitive detection of DBPs. Compared with well-established laboratory detection techniques, electrochemical sensing has been identified as a promising alternative that will provide rapid, affordable, and sensitive DBP monitoring in remote water sources. Therefore, this Review covers current state-of-the-art development (within the past decade) in electrochemical sensing to detect organic DBPs in water, which covered three major aspects: (1) recognition mechanism, (2) electrodes with signal amplification, and (3) signal read-out techniques. Moreover, comprehensive quality assessments on electrochemical biosensors, including linear detection range, limit of detection (LoD) and recovery, have also been summarized.

Voltammetric sensing performances of a carbon ionic liquid electrode modified with black phosphorene and hemin

A black phosphorene (BPE) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hybrid was used for the immobilization of hemin on a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE). BPE inside the PEDOT:PSS film was stable without adverse effects of water and oxygen. The hemin-modified electrode facilitates electrochemical communication with a couple of well-shaped and enhanced redox waves. Therefore BPE exhibits an accelerating function to the electron movement. This sensor exhibits excellent electrocatalytic effects on the reduction of various substrates including trichloroacetic acid (TCA), nitrite and H₂O₂. As for TCA, the reduction current at -0.36 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) increases linearly in the concentration range from 2.0 to 180 mmol·L^-1 with a detection limit of 0.67 mmol·L^-1 (at 3σ). As for nitrite, the reduction current at -0.59 Vis linear in the 1.0 to 10.5 mmol·L^-1 concentration range, and the detection limit is 0.33 mmol·L^-1 (at 3σ). As for H₂O₂, the reduction current at -0.033 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) is linear in the concentration range from 4.0 to 35.0 mmol·L^-1 and the detection limit is 1.3 mmol·L^-1 (at 3σ). The real sample was analyzed with satisfactory results, which indicated that BPE had potential applications in the field of electrochemical biosensor. Graphical abstract Photos of (a) black phosphorene (BPE) solution, (b) poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), (c) BPE-PEDOT:PSS (1:5) dispersion, and the fabrication procedure of this electrochemical sensor. It was applied to the determination of trichloroacetic acid, nitrite and hydrogen peroxide.

Platinum nanoparticles decorating a biomass porous carbon nanocomposite-modified electrode for the electrocatalytic sensing of luteolin and application

A sensitive electrochemical method was proposed for the determination of luteolin based on platinum (Pt) nanoparticles decorating a biomass porous carbon (BPC) composite-modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE). For Pt–BPC/CILE, a pair of well-defined redox peaks of luteolin appeared with enhanced peak currents and the positive movement of peak potentials, proving the electrocatalytic activity of the Pt–BPC nanocomposite for redox reaction. The results can be ascribed to the porous structure of BPC, the catalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles and their synergistic effects. Electrochemical parameters were calculated via cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The results showed that the oxidation peak currents increased linearly with the concentration of luteolin in the range from 0.008 to 100.0 μmol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 2.6 ± 0.054 nmol L⁻¹. The analytical performance of this sensor was checked by the detection of luteolin contents in a real Duyiwei capsule sample with satisfactory results.

A Pt–BPC nanocomposite-modified electrode was fabricated for luteolin detection.