Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate functionalized graphene for confined electrochemical growth of metal/oxide nanocomposites for sensing application

Methane hydrate efficient formation in a 3D-rGO/SDBS composite

The optimization of storage space and material composition can significantly improve the generation rate and storage capacity of methane hydrate, which is important for the industrial application of solidified natural gas (SNG) technology. In our report, the effects of the presence of SDBS (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate), GO (graphene oxide), 3D-rGO (3D-reduced graphene oxide) and 3D-rGO/SDBS (3D-reduced graphene oxide/sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) on the methane hydrate generation process are investigated. The results show that the heterogeneous effect on the solid-phase surface of 3D-rGO/SDBS and its interconnected three-dimensional (3D) structure can achieve rapid nucleation. In addition, the presence of 3D-rGO/SDBS can increase the dissolution and dispersion of gas in solution and further enhance the gas-liquid mass transfer, thus realizing efficient methane storage. The maximum methane storage capacity of 188 v/vw is obtained with 600 ppm of 3D-rGO/SDBS in water, reaching 87% of the theoretical maximum storage capacity. The addition of 3D-rGO/SDBS also significantly reduces the induction time and accelerates the formation rate of methane hydrate. This study reveals that 3D graphene materials have excellent kinetic promotion effects on methane hydrate formation, explores and enriches the hydrate-promoting mechanism, and provides essential data and theoretical basis for the research of new promoters in the field of SNG technology.

Metal Oxides Nanomaterials and Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Healthcare Applications

Wide-ranging research efforts have been directed to prioritize scientific and technological inventions for healthcare monitoring. In recent years, the effective utilization of functional nanomaterials in various electroanalytical measurements realized a rapid, sensitive, and selective detection and monitoring of a wide range of biomarkers in body fluids. Owing to good biocompatibility, high organic capturing ability, strong electrocatalytic activity, and high robustness, transition metal oxide-derived nanocomposites have led to enhancements in sensing performances. The aim of the present review is to describe key advancements of transition metal oxide nanomaterials and nanocomposites-based electrochemical sensors, along with current challenges and prospects towards the development of a highly durable and reliable detection of biomarkers. Moreover, the preparation of nanomaterials, electrode fabrication, sensing mechanism, electrode-bio interface, and performance of metal oxides nanomaterials and nanocomposite-based sensor platforms will be described.

Potentialities of bioinspired metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in biomedical sciences

To date, various reports have shown that metallic gold bhasma at the nanoscale form was used as medicine as early as 2500 B.C. in India, China, and Egypt. Owing to their unique physicochemical, biological, and electronic properties, they have broad utilities in energy, environment, agriculture and more recently, the biomedical field. The biomedical domain has been used in drug delivery, imaging, diagnostics, therapeutics, and biosensing applications. In this review, we will discuss and highlight the increasing control over metal and metal oxide nanoparticle structures as smart nanomaterials utilized in the biomedical domain to advance the role of biosynthesized nanoparticles for improving human health through wide applications in the targeted drug delivery, controlled release drug delivery, wound dressing, tissue scaffolding, and medical implants. In addition, we have discussed concerns related to the role of these types of nanoparticles as an anti-viral agent by majorly highlighting the ways to combat the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, along with their prospects.

Graphene and its electrochemistry - an update

The electrochemistry of graphene and its derivatives has been extensively researched in recent years. In the aspect of graphene preparation methods, the efficiencies of the top-down electrochemical exfoliation of graphite, the electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide and the electrochemical delamination of CVD grown graphene, are currently on par with conventional procedures. Electrochemical analysis of graphene oxide has revealed an unexpected inherent redox activity with, in some cases, an astonishing chemical reversibility. Furthermore, graphene modified with p-block elements has shown impressive electrocatalytic performances in processes which have been historically dominated by metal-based catalysts. Further progress has also been achieved in the practical usage of graphene in sensing and biosensing applications. This review is an update of our previous article in Chem. Soc. Rev. 2010, 39, 4146-4157, with special focus on the developments over the past two years.

An electrochemical biosensing platform based on 1-formylpyrene functionalized reduced graphene oxide for sensitive determination of phenol

A novel electrochemical biosensing platform is proposed. New tyrosinase-based biosensor can be used to detect phenols.

Self-assembly of amine-functionalized gold nanoparticles on phosphonate-functionalized graphene nanosheets: a highly active catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Au-NP@NH₂ can effectively self-assemble on the surface of GNS-PO₃H₂ and show excellent catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.

Development of a cataluminescence sensor for detecting benzene based on magnesium silicate hollow spheres

A novel and sensitive gas sensor was developed for the determination of benzene based on its cataluminescence (CTL) by oxidation in air on the surface of hollow magnesium silicate spheres. Luminescence characteristics and optimum conditions were investigated. Results indicated that the as-prepared magnesium silicate hollow spheres exhibited outstanding CTL properties such as stable intensity, high signal/noise values, and short response and recovery times. Under optimized conditions, benzene exhibited a broad linear range of 1-4500 ppm, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9946 and a limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 3) of 0.6 ppm, which was below the standard permitted concentration. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 100 ppm benzene was 4.3% (n = 6). Furthermore, the gas sensor system showed outstanding selectivity for benzene compared with nine other common volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The proposed gas sensor showed good characteristics of high selectivity, fast response time and long lifetime, which suggested the promising application of magnesium silicate hollow spheres as a novel highly efficient CTL sensing material. The mechanism for the improved performance was also discussed based on the experimental results.

Electrochemical biosensors on platforms of graphene

In recent years, graphene, the two-dimensional closely packed honeycomb carbon lattice, has been attracting much attention in the field of electrochemistry due to its intrinsic properties and merits. Efforts to create novel graphene based electrochemical biosensors have led to the establishment of effective strategies for diverse bioassays, from simple molecules to complex biotargets. In this Feature Article, we provide an overview of electrochemical biosensing with graphene related materials, and discuss the role of graphene in different sensing protocols.