Tripeptide Derivative-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode: A Novel Electrochemical Sensor for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Cd2+ Ions

Cd2+ Detection by an Electrochemical Electrode Based on MWCNT-Orange Peel Activated Carbon

This study reports the development of a new electrochemical sensor based on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) composed of biomass-based orange peel activated carbon (ACOP) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and this composite is used for the electrochemical detection of cadmium ions (Cd2+). The ACOP/MWCNT composite was characterized by FTIR, Raman, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical evaluation of Cd2+ was performed using square wave and cyclic voltammetry. The ACOP/MWCNT-CPE electrochemical sensor exhibited a coefficient of determination r2 of 0.9907, a limit of detection of 0.91 ± 0.79 μmol L-1, and a limit of quantification of 3.00 ± 2.60 μmol L-1. In addition, the developed sensor can selectively detect Cd2+ in the presence of different interferents such as Zn2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Fe2+ with a relative standard deviation (RSD) close to 100%, carried out in triplicate experiments. The ACOP/MWCNT-CPE presented high sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility and was successfully applied for the detection of Cd2+ in river water samples with recovery rate values ranging from 97.33 to 115.6%, demonstrating to be a very promising analytical alternative for the determination of cadmium ions in this matrix.

Electro-oxidation sensing of sumatriptan in aqueous solutions and human blood serum by Zn(II)-MOF modified electrochemical delaminated pencil graphite electrode

An electrochemical sensory platform is presented for determination of sumatriptan (SUM) in aqueous solutions and human blood serum. A pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was electrochemically delaminated by cyclic voltammetry technique, and then further modified using nanoparticles of a zinc-based metal-organic framework (Zn(II)-MOF). The fabricated Zn(II)-MOF/EDPGE electrode was utilized for sensitive electrochemical detection of SUM via an electro-oxidation reaction. The Zn(II)-MOF was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by various techniques. The electrochemical delamination of PGE results in a porous substrate, facilitating the effective immobilization of the modifier. The designed sensor benefits from both enhanced surface area and an accelerated electron transfer rate, as evidenced by the chronocoulogram and Nyquist plots. Under optimized conditions, the developed sensor exhibited a linear response for 0.99-9.52 µM SUM solutions. A short response time of 5 s was observed for the fabricated sensor and the detection limit was found to be 0.29 μM. Selectivity of Zn(II)-MOF/EDPGE towards SUM was evaluated by examining the interference effect of codeine, epinephrine, acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, and uric acid, which are commonly found in biological samples. The developed sensor shows excellent performance with recovery values falling within the range of 96.6 to 111% for the analysis of SUM in human blood serum samples.

A designed miniature sensor for the trace level detection and degradation studies of the toxic dye Rhodamine B

The presence of organic pollutants in water and food samples is a risk for the environment. To avoid this hazard a variety of analytical tools are used for the detection of toxic organic contaminants. Herein we present a selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor based on amino group functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes and carboxylic group functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes (HOOC-fMWCNTs/NH2-fMWCNTs) as modifiers of the glassy carbon electrode for the detection of a toxic dye, Rhodamine B. The sensing ability of the designed sensor was examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The synergistic effect of HOOC-fMWCNTs and NH2-fMWCNTs (layer by layer) led to enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode surface for Rhodamine B detection. Under optimized conditions, the graph between concentration and peak current followed a linear trend in the concentration range of 0.1 nM to 0.05 μM. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 57.4 pM and 191.3 pM respectively. The designed sensor was also used for probing the degradation of Rhodamine B. Sodium borohydride was found to degrade Rhodamine B in neutral media under ambient conditions. The kinetics of degradation followed first order kinetics. Rhodamine B degraded to the extent of more than 80% as revealed by electrochemical and spectrophotometric techniques. The developed method is promising for the treatment of dye contaminated wastewater. Moreover, it uses only a microliter volume of the sample for analysis.

A Novel Electrochemical Sensing Platform for the Sensitive Detection and Degradation Monitoring of Methylene Blue

Methylene blue is a toxic dye that is extensively used as a colorant in textile industries. Industrial effluent containing methylene blue, when drained into water bodies without proper treatment, poses a serious threat to aquatic and human lives. In order to protect the biocycle, various methods have been established to detect and remove hazardous dyes from aqueous systems. Electrochemical methods are preferred, owing to their characteristic features of simplicity, portability, potential selectivity, cost effectiveness, and rapid responsiveness. Based on these considerations, an electrochemical sensor consisting of amino-group-functionalized, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NH2-fMWCNTs) immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed for the sensitive detection of methylene blue in aqueous solutions. The performance of the designed sensor was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry. The developed sensing tool demonstrated promising features of sensitivity, selectivity, stability, fast responsiveness, and the ability to work with a very small volume of the analyte, i.e., in microliters, for analysis. Amino groups rich in electrons provide a negative charge to multi-walled carbon nanotubes, which significantly enhances the electrocatalytic activity of NH2-fMWCNTs for cationic dyes such as methylene blue. Using the designed sensing platform, a linear calibration plot with a limit of detection of 0.21 nM was obtained for methylene blue under optimized conditions. The designed sensor was also employed to monitor the extent and kinetics of the degradation of methylene blue. Titania nanoparticles were used for photocatalytic degradation, and the kinetics of degradation was monitored by both UV-Visible spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The results revealed more than 95% removal of methylene blue in a time span of just 30 min.

Valorization of agro-industrial biowaste to green nanomaterials for wastewater treatment: Approaching green chemistry and circular economy principles

Water pollution is one of the most critical issues worldwide and is a priority in all scientific agendas. Green nanotechnology presents a plethora of promising avenues for wastewater treatment. This review discusses the current trends in the valorization of zero-cost, biodegradable, and readily available agro-industrial biowaste to produce green bio-nanocatalysts and bio-nanosorbents for wastewater treatment. The promising roles of green bio-nanocatalysts and bio-nanosorbents in removing organic and inorganic water contaminants are discussed. The potent antimicrobial activity of bio-derived nanodisinfectants against water-borne pathogenic microbes is reviewed. The bioactive molecules involved in the chelation and tailoring of green synthesized nanomaterials are highlighted along with the mechanisms involved. Furthermore, this review emphasizes how the valorization of agro-industrial biowaste to green nanomaterials for wastewater treatment adheres to the fundamental principles of green chemistry, circular economy, nexus thinking, and zero-waste manufacturing. The potential economic, environmental, and health impacts of valorizing agro-industrial biowaste to green nanomaterials are highlighted. The challenges and future outlooks for the management of agro-industrial biowaste and safe application of green nanomaterials for wastewater treatment are summarized.

A nanozyme-catalysis-based ratiometric electrochemical sensor for general detection of Cd2+

AuPt–rGO showed good peroxidase-like activity for the oxidation of OPD to DAP (a novel internal reference) and achieved sensitive and reliable detection of Cd2+ based on a ratiometric strategy.

Distinguishing normal and aggregated alpha-synuclein interaction on gold nanorod incorporated zinc oxide nanocomposite by electrochemical technique

Misfolding and accumulation of the protein alpha synuclein in the brain cells characterize Parkinson's disease (PD). Electrochemical based aluminum interdigitated electrodes (ALIDEs) was fabricated by using conventional photolithography method and modified the surfaces with zinc oxide and gold nanorod by using spin coating method for the analysis of PD protein biomarker. The device surface modified with gold nanorod of 25 nm diameter was used. The bare devices and the surface modified devices were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope, 3D-Profilometer, Atomic Force Microscope and high-power microscope. The above measurement was also performed to measure the interaction of antibody with aggregated alpha-synuclein for normal, aggregated and aggregated alpha synuclein in human serum and distinguished against 3 control proteins (PARK1, DJ-1 and Factor IX). The detection limit for normal alpha synuclein was 1 f. with the sensitivity of 1 f. on a linear regression (R² = 0.9759). The detection limit for aggregated alpha synuclein was 10 aM with the sensitivity of 1 aM on a linear regression (R² = 0.9797). Also, the detection limit of aggregated alpha synuclein in serum was 10 aM with the sensitivity of 1 aM on a linear regression (R² = 0.9739). These results however indicate that, serum has only minimal amount of alpha synuclein.

Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Sensors and Their Applications on the Detection of Trace Metals in Environmental Water Samples

The elevated concentrations of various trace metals beyond existing guideline recommendations in water bodies have promoted research on the development of various electrochemical nanosensors for the trace metals' early detection. Inspired by the exciting physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials, advanced functional nanocomposites with improved sensitivity, sensitivity and stability, amongst other performance parameters, have been synthesized, characterized, and applied on the detection of various trace metals in water matrices. Nanocomposites have been perceived as a solution to address a critical challenge of distinct nanomaterials that are limited by agglomerations, structure stacking leading to aggregations, low conductivity, and limited porous structure for electrolyte access, amongst others. In the past few years, much effort has been dedicated to the development of various nanocomposites such as; electrochemical nanosensors for the detection of trace metals in water matrices. Herein, the recent progress on the development of nanocomposites classified according to their structure as carbon nanocomposites, metallic nanocomposites, and metal oxide/hydroxide nanocomposites is summarized, alongside their application as electrochemical nanosensors for trace metals detection in water matrices. Some perspectives on the development of smart electrochemical nanosensors are also introduced.