Polyelectrolytes Assembly: A Powerful Tool for Electrochemical Sensing Application

The development of sensing coatings, as important sensor elements that integrate functionality, simplicity, chemical stability, and physical stability, has been shown to play a major role in electrochemical sensing system development trends. Simple and versatile assembling procedures and scalability make polyelectrolytes highly convenient for use in electrochemical sensing applications. Polyelectrolytes are mainly used in electrochemical sensor architectures for entrapping (incorporation, immobilization, etc.) various materials into sensing layers. These materials can often increase sensitivity, selectivity, and electronic communications with the electrode substrate, and they can mediate electron transfer between an analyte and transducer. Analytical performance can be significantly improved by the synergistic effect of materials (sensing material, transducer, and mediator) present in these composites. As most reported methods for the preparation of polyelectrolyte-based sensing layers are layer-by-layer and casting/coating methods, this review focuses on the use of the latter methods in the development of electrochemical sensors within the last decade. In contrast to many reviews related to electrochemical sensors that feature polyelectrolytes, this review is focused on architectures of sensing layers and the role of polyelectrolytes in the development of sensing systems. Additionally, the role of polyelectrolytes in the preparation and modification of various nanoparticles, nanoprobes, reporter probes, nanobeads, etc. that are used in electrochemical sensing systems is also reviewed.

Electrospinning design of functional nanostructures for biosensor applications

We summarize the recent advances in the electrospinning fabrication of hybrid polymer nanofibers decorated with functionalized nanoscale building blocks (NBBs) to obtain biosensors with better performances.

Structure and dynamics of a dl-homocysteine functionalized fullerene-C60–gold nanocomposite: a femtomolar l-histidine sensor

An Au@Hcys-C₆₀ nanocomposite for l-histidine sensing.

ZrO2-β-cyclodextrin catalyzed synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles and 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles under solvent free conditions and evaluation of their antibacterial study

A series of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles and 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles catalyzed by ZrO₂-supported-β-cyclodextrin (ZrO₂-β-CD) under solvent free conditions have been synthesized and characterized by spectral methods.

Lanthanum loaded CuO nanoparticles: synthesis and characterization of a recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles and propargylamines

A click and three component A³ coupling reactions were achieved by lanthanum loaded CuO NPs under ultrasonication. 1,4-Disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles and propargylamines were synthesized in a short reaction time with high regioselectivity and yields.

ZrO2-supported Cu(ii)–β-cyclodextrin complex: construction of 2,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles via azide–chalcone oxidative cycloaddition and post-triazole alkylation

The ZrO₂–Cu₂–β-CD complex is an excellent catalyst for the synthesis of N-2-alkylated-1,2,3-triazoles.

Functionalized ceramics for biomedical, biotechnological and environmental applications

Surface functionalization has become of paramount importance and is considered a fundamental tool for the development and design of countless devices and engineered systems for key technological areas in biomedical, biotechnological and environmental applications. In this review, surface functionalization strategies for alumina, zirconia, titania, silica, iron oxide and calcium phosphate are presented and discussed. These materials have become particularly important concerning the aforementioned applications, being not only of great academic, but also of steadily increasing human and commercial, interest. In this review, special emphasis is given to their use as biomaterials, biosensors, biological targets, drug delivery systems, implants, chromatographic supports for biomolecule purification and analysis, and adsorbents for toxic substances and pollutants. The objective of this review is to provide a broad picture of the enormous possibilities offered by surface functionalization and to identify particular challenges regarding surface analysis and characterization.