Finely Composition-Tunable Synthesis of Ultrafine Wavy PtRu Nanowires as Effective Electrochemical Sensors for Dopamine Detection

Review of the Design of Ruthenium-Based Nanomaterials and Their Sensing Applications in Electrochemistry

In this review, ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs)-based functional nanomaterials have attractive electrocatalytic characteristics and they offer considerable potential in a number of fields. Ru-based binary or multimetallic NPs are widely utilized for electrode modification because of their unique electrocatalytic properties, enhanced surface-area-to-volume ratio, and synergistic effect between two metals provides as an effective improved electrode sensor. This perspective review suggests the current research and development of Ru-based nanomaterials as a platform for electrochemical (EC) sensing of harmful substances, biomolecules, insecticides, pharmaceuticals, and environmental pollutants. The advantages and limitations of mono-, bi-, and multimetallic Ru-based nanocomposites for EC sensors are discussed. Besides, the relevant EC properties and analyte sensing approaches are also presented. On the basis of these insights, we highlighted recent results for synthesizing techniques and EC environmental pollutant sensors from the perspectives of diverse supports, including graphene, carbon nanotubes, silica, semiconductors, metal sulfides, and polymers. Finally, this work overviews the modern improvements in the utilization of Ru-based nanocomposites on the basis for electroanalytical sensors as well as suggestions for the field's future development.

Synthesis of PtRu alloy nanofireworks as effective catalysts toward glycerol electro-oxidation in alkaline media

Electro-oxidation of glycerol is a key anodic reaction in direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFCs). Exploring the cost-effective nanocatalysts for glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) is very important for the development of DAFC, but it is still challenging. In this paper, nanofirework-like PtRu alloy catalyst was successfully synthesized and used for GOR in alkaline medium. Thanks to the unique nanofirework-like structure and synergetic effects, the activity and stability of the as-prepared PtRu alloy nanofireworks (NFs) toward GOR were significantly improved relative to Pt NFs. In particular, the peak current density of GOR catalyzed by the optimized Pt₁Ru₃ NFs catalyst reached 2412.0 mA mg^-1, surpassing that of commercial Pt/C catalyst. This work has important guidance for the design of advanced anode electrocatalysts for fuel cells.

Cryogel Monoliths for Analyte Enrichment by Capture and Release

A platform based on cryogel monoliths in small capillaries, which allows very strong enrichment of an analyte through a capture and release process, is described. For their preparation, a photoreactive copolymer solution containing capture molecules of interest is filled into a capillary, frozen in, and then photochemically transformed into cryogel monoliths through C,H-insertion cross-linking reactions. As a test example, the platform is used for the preconcentration of dopamine from bovine serum albumin and urine samples through capture and release processes. During capture from a large volume and release into a smaller volume, the platform shows recovery rates up to 97% and allows up to a roughly 630-fold enrichment of the concentration of the analyte. The presented platform could be used as a disposable device for the purification and enrichment of a variety of cis-diol-containing samples.

Reconciling structure prediction of alloyed, ultrathin nanowires with spectroscopy

A number of complementary, synergistic advances are reported herein. First, we describe the 'first-time' synthesis of ultrathin Ru2Co1 nanowires (NWs) possessing average diameters of 2.3 ± 0.5 nm using a modified surfactant-mediated protocol. Second, we utilize a combination of quantitative EDS, EDS mapping (along with accompanying line-scan profiles), and EXAFS spectroscopy results to probe the local atomic structure of not only novel Ru2Co1 NWs but also 'control' samples of analogous ultrathin Ru1Pt1, Au1Ag1, Pd1Pt1, and Pd1Pt9 NWs. We demonstrate that ultrathin NWs possess an atomic-level geometry that is fundamentally dependent upon their intrinsic chemical composition. In the case of the PdPt NW series, EDS mapping data are consistent with the formation of a homogeneous alloy, a finding further corroborated by EXAFS analysis. By contrast, EXAFS analysis results for both Ru1Pt1 and Ru2Co1 imply the generation of homophilic structures in which there is a strong tendency for the clustering of 'like' atoms; associated EDS results for Ru1Pt1 convey the same conclusion, namely the production of a heterogeneous structure. Conversely, EDS mapping data for Ru2Co1 suggests a uniform distribution of both elements. In the singular case of Au1Ag1, EDS mapping results are suggestive of a homogeneous alloy, whereas EXAFS analysis pointed to Ag segregation at the surface and an Au-rich core, within the context of a core-shell structure. These cumulative outcomes indicate that only a combined consideration of both EDS and EXAFS results can provide for an accurate representation of the local atomic structure of ultrathin NW motifs.

Recent Developments of Flexible and Stretchable Electrochemical Biosensors

The skyrocketing popularity of health monitoring has spurred increasing interest in wearable electrochemical biosensors. Compared with the traditionally rigid and bulky electrochemical biosensors, flexible and stretchable devices render a unique capability to conform to the complex, hierarchically textured surfaces of the human body. With a recognition element (e.g., enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids, ions) to selectively react with the target analyte, wearable electrochemical biosensors can convert the types and concentrations of chemical changes in the body into electrical signals for easy readout. Initial exploration of wearable electrochemical biosensors integrates electrodes on textile and flexible thin-film substrate materials. A stretchable property is needed for the thin-film device to form an intimate contact with the textured skin surface and to deform with various natural skin motions. Thus, stretchable materials and structures have been exploited to ensure the effective function of a wearable electrochemical biosensor. In this mini-review, we summarize the recent development of flexible and stretchable electrochemical biosensors, including their principles, representative application scenarios (e.g., saliva, tear, sweat, and interstitial fluid), and materials and structures. While great strides have been made in the wearable electrochemical biosensors, challenges still exist, which represents a small fraction of opportunities for the future development of this burgeoning field.

Shaping well-defined noble-metal-based nanostructures for fabricating high-performance electrocatalysts: advances and perspectives

This review highlights recent advances in shaping protocols and structure-activity relationships of noble-metal-based catalysts with well-defined nanostructures in electrochemical reactions.

A review of the advanced developments of electrochemical sensors for the detection of toxic and bioactive molecules

The recent developments made regarding the novel, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly nanocatalysts for the electrochemical sensing of biomolecules, pesticides, nitro compounds and heavy metal ions are discussed in this review article.

Dual-Signal Luminescent Detection of Dopamine by a Single Type of Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles

Detection of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter, is vital for understanding its roles in mammals and disease diagnosis. However, commonly available methods for dopamine detection typically rely on a single signal readout, which can be susceptible to interference by internal or external factors. Here, we report a dual-signal detection of dopamine based on label-free luminescent NaGdF₄:Tb nanoparticles. In the presence of dopamine, the NaGdF₄:Tb nanoparticles exhibit luminescence quenching under the excitation of 272 nm, while they give enhanced luminescence under 297 nm excitation, realizing both turn off and turn on detection of dopamine. The nanoparticle-based dual-signal sensors exhibit high sensitivity, with a detection limit of ∼30 nM, and good selectivity, which offers the possibility to identify potential interferents in the samples. We further demonstrate that the dual-signal response results from different energy-transfer processes within the nanoparticles under the excitation of different light. The new strategy demonstrated here should pave the way for the development of multiresponse nanosensors based on lanthanide-doped luminescent nanomaterials.

Fabrication of Biocompatible, Luminescent Supramolecular Structures and Their Applications in the Detection of Dopamine

Supramolecular materials assembled by amide-functionalized surface active ionic liquid, N-dodecyl- N'-acetamido imidazolium bromide ([C₁₂ImCONH₂]Br), and europium-containing polyoxometalates (Eu-POM) were fabricated in aqueous solution by a one-step method via ionic self-assembly strategy. The [C₁₂ImCONH₂]Br/Eu-POM supramolecular structures exhibit favorable fluorescence properties and represent a 15-fold increase in quantum yield (∼13.68%) compared to Eu-POM. Besides, more fluorescence was quenched obviously with the increasing concentration of dopamine (DA) (within the range of 0-100 μM), based on which DA monitoring could be achieved. The detection limit was identified to be 0.1 μM. The supramolecular nanoparticles are highly specific for the detection of DA. In addition, the hybrid assemblies display not only low cytotoxicity but also excellent biocompatibility to MC3T3-E1 cells. As a result, as-prepared supramolecular materials with these superior properties show the promising application in some fields such as biochemistry and biomedical science.

One-Step Electrochemical Fabrication of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Gold Nanoparticles Nanocomposite-Modified Electrode for Simultaneous Detection of Dopamine, Ascorbic Acid, and Uric Acid

Here, we introduce the preparation of the hybrid nanocomposite-modified electrode consisting of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using the one-step electrochemical method, allowing for the simultaneous and individual detection of dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA). RGO/AuNPs nanocomposite was formed on a glassy carbon electrode by the co-reduction of GO and Au3+ using the potentiodynamic method. The RGO/AuNPs nanocomposite-modified electrode was produced by subjecting a mixed solution of GO and Au3+ to cyclic sweeping from -1.5 V to 0.8 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate 10 mV/s for 3 cycles. The modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Voltammetry results confirm that the RGO/AuNPs nanocomposite-modified electrode has high catalytic activity and good resolution for the detection of DA, AA, and UA. The RGO/AuNPs nanocomposite-modified electrode exhibits stable amperometric responses for DA, AA, and UA, respectively, and its detection limits were estimated to be 0.14, 9.5, and 25 μM. The modified electrode shows high selectivity towards the determination of DA, AA, or UA in the presence of potentially active bioelements. In addition, the resulting sensor exhibits many advantages such as fast amperometric response, excellent operational stability, and appropriate practicality.