A Pt-free graphenaceous composite as an electro-catalyst for efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Magnesium: properties and rich chemistry for new material synthesis and energy applications

Magnesium (Mg) has many unique properties suitable for applications in the fields of energy conversion and storage. These fields presently rely on noble metals for efficient performance. However, among other challenges, noble metals have low natural abundance, which undermines their sustainability. Mg has a high negative standard reduction potential and a unique crystal structure, and its low melting point at 650 °C makes it a good candidate to replace or supplement numerous other metals in various energy applications. These attractive features are particularly helpful for improving the properties and limits of materials in energy systems. However, knowledge of Mg and its practical uses is still limited, despite recent studies which have reported Mg's key roles in synthesizing new structures and modifying the chemical properties of materials. At present, information about Mg chemistry has been rather scattered without any organized report. The present review highlights the chemistry of Mg and its uses in energy applications such as electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and secondary batteries, among others. Future perspectives on the development of Mg-based materials are further discussed to identify the challenges that need to be addressed.

Highly sensitive detection of anti-cancer drug based on bimetallic reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

Herein, we describe a high-performance electrochemical sensor for the detection of regorafenib (REG) using bimetallic Pd-Ru nanoparticles anchored on pomegranate peel extract (PPE) derived reduced graphene oxide (Pd-Ru/rGO). PPE was employed to neutralize the extremely acidic graphene then cast-off along with the metal precursor for the duration of the chemical reduction to accomplish well dispersed Pd-Ru nanoparticles. Bimetallic Pd-Ru/rGO nanocomposites were synthesized using a facile chemical reduction method. Under optimal conditions, based on the differential pulse voltammetric studies it has been confirmed that the fabricated sensors has good electrocatalytic activity toward the detection of REG, spanning over the linear dynamic range of 0.5-300 nM. Moreover, the sensor exhibited a low limit of detection of 1.6 nM and a limit of quantification of 4.8 nM. The electrochemical sensor unveiled admirable selectivity and sensitivity, reproducibility, and repeatability. The fabricated sensor was suitable for real sample analysis (pharmaceutical tablet, human blood plasm, wastewater) with satisfactory recovery. The strategy presented herein can be employed in the development of electrochemical sensors for other target analytes.

An electrochemical sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with sandwich structured ZIF-67@rGO for bisphenol A measurement

The low conductivity of metal-organic frameworks seriously impedes their electrocatalytic performance. In this study, we prepared a fabricated sandwich structure composed of a Co-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through a facile and simple one-pot hydrothermal reaction. This framework of nanocomposites, which are modified with a glassy carbon electrode, constructed a bisphenol A (BPA) electrochemical sensor for the first time. Operational parameters such as pH, electrolytes, the amount of modifiers, deposition potentials and deposition time were optimised for the sensitive detection of BPA. The performance of electrodes was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. With differential pulse voltammetry, the detection concentration of BPA ranged from 0.05 μmol L^-1 to 100 μmol L^-1. The results revealed that the hierarchical nanocomposites demonstrated better electrocatalytic performance with large electrochemically active surface areas, high sensitivity and a low limit of detection (5.2 nmol L^-1), compared with a physical mixture of ZIF-67 and rGO at the same ratio. These impressive features originate from the synergistic effects of ZIF-67 and rGO. This study presents a new strategy using metal-organic framework composite materials for the sensitive detection of BPA.

The synergistic effect of carbon edges and dopants towards efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Decoration with alien atoms and increasing the edge content are two valid ways to activate the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) property of nanocarbons. To further enhance their intrinsic activity and explore the underlying ORR mechanism, graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) were selected as an ideal catalyst model. Theoretical simulations have predicted that with the synergistic effect between heteroatom-doping and edge sites, the ORR activity can be significantly improved. Inspired by this, N-GNRs were synthesized via the oxidative unzipping of CNTs followed by nitrogen incorporation with urea. Ample edges and nitrogen doping sites were detected by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. As a result, N-GNRs exhibited remarkably higher ORR properties in terms of onset and half-wave potentials, Tafel slopes, electron transfer number and methanol tolerance than either GNRs, the control sample without doping, or N-CNTs, the control sample without abundant edges, simply clarifying the significance of synergy between dopants and edges. Thus, this work provides a simple but efficient strategy to fabricate high-performance oxygen reduction catalysts.

Rational design of N-doped CNTs@C3N4 network for dual-capture of biocatalysts in enzymatic glucose/O2 biofuel cells

Carbonaceous materials are promising electrode materials for enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) due to their excellent electrical conductivity, chemical and physical stability and biocompatibility. Design and preparation of carbon materials with a hollow structure and a rough surface are of great significance for immobilization of enzymes both inside and outside the carbon materials for EBFC applications. We report herein the synthesis of novel carbonaceous materials consisting of bamboo-shaped hollow N-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) and C3N4 nanosheets (denoted as N-CNTs@C3N4) as electrode materials for dual-capture of enzymes in glucose/O2 EBFCs. The combination of one-dimensional N-CNTs with an open structure and two-dimensional C3N4 nanosheets forms a three-dimensional crosslinking network that significantly enhances the immobilization of enzymes, electrode stability, and mass transfer of substrates, thus boosting the EBFC performance. As a result, EBFCs equipped with N-CNTs@C3N4 can generate a high open circuit potential of 0.93 V and output a maximum power density of 0.57 mW cm-2 at 0.47 V. Additionally, the as-fabricated glucose/O2 EBFCs are capable of directly harvesting energy from various soft drinks, which indicates the promising applications of the N-CNTs@C3N4 nanocomposite as an electrode material for EBFCs.

Mesoporous Carbon/α-Fe2O3 Nanoleaf Composites for Disposable Nitrite Sensors and Energy Storage Applications

In this work, we report a novel hydrothermal synthesis of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoleaf-incorporated mesoporous carbon-chitosan (α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit) as a versatile disposable sensor for selective electrochemical detection of nitrite and for supercapacitor applications. The newly synthesized α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, UV, and Raman spectroscopy. The extensive physicochemical characterization reveals the strong immobilization of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoleaves within the MPC-chit composite. The electrochemical characterization with cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy using [Fe(CN)₆)]^3-/4- as a redox probe concludes good electron conductivity and efficient electron transfer behavior of α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit. The α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit modified electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward nitrite oxidation. The amperometric method of nitrite detection showed a linear range of up to 200 μmol L^-1 _. The current sensitivity and detection limit were found to be 0.913 μA μM^-1 and 31 nM cm^-2, respectively. The improved catalytic activity of the proposed electrode was endorsed by the synergistic effect of α-Fe₂O₃ with the MPC-chit composite. The ability of the proposed electrode was demonstrated by the successful detection of nitrite present in tap water, river water, and industrial samples with extensive recovery values. Furthermore, the α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit modified stainless-steel electrode showed high-performance supercapacitor application and exhibited a large specific capacitance of 380 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1.

In situ evolved NiMo/NiMoO4 nanorods as a bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting

Due to their good conductivity and catalytic performance, Ni-Mo-based catalysts are well-established for highly effective water splitting. However, the know-how required to fabricate distinct interfaces and electronic structures for metal oxides is still a challenge, and the synergistic effect between metal and metal oxides that enhances electrocatalytic activity is still ambiguous. As described here, by controlling the lithium-induced conversion reaction of metal oxides, metal/metal-oxide composites with plentiful interfaces and prominent electrical interconnections were fabricated, which can boost active sites and accelerate mass transfer during electrocatalytic reactions. As a consequence, the superior catalytic activity of ECT-NiMo/NiMoO₄ exhibited a low overpotential of 61 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 for the hydrogen evolution reaction and 331 mV at 100 mA cm^-2 for the oxygen evolution reaction. When integrated into a two-electrode system, the ECT-NiMo/NiMoO₄ revealed a highly stable and efficient performance in overall water splitting. This work provides a promising approach to enhance the metallicity and electron redistribution of catalysts for numerous water-splitting applications and many other possibilities for energy storage devices.

Synthesis of a magnetic sorbent and its application in extraction of different pesticides from water, fruit, and vegetable samples prior to their determination by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this investigation, an efficient sorbent based on Fe₃O₄@polyphenols magnetic nanoparticles has been prepared using the extract of Mentha piperita leaves for the first time. The main purposes of this study were synthesis of economically affordable and environmentally friendly sorbent using the extract of Mentha piperita leaves and evaluating its application as a sorbent in magnetic solid phase extraction. The functional groups, magnetic property, size, and shape of the synthesized sorbent were characterized. The sorbent was utilized for the extraction and preconcentration of various pesticides (chlorpyrifos, fenazaquin, penconazole, diniconazole, oxadiazon, haloxyfop-methyl, hexaconazole, clodinafop-propargyl, tebuconazole, and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) from vegetable, fruit, and water samples. After magnetic solid phase extraction, a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method was done to achieve low detection limits. The enriched pesticides were monitored by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The synthesized sorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques, which confirmed the successful synthesis of the magnetic nanoparticles. The effective parameters such as the sorbent weight, ionic strength, pH, vortex time, and kind and volume of elution and extraction solvents were studied. Under optimum extraction conditions, the method showed broad linear ranges (0.05-1000 µg L^-1) with low limits of detection (0.27-4.13 ng L^-1) and quantification (0.91-13.8 ng L^-1). Extraction recoveries and enrichment factors were in the ranges of 54-89 % and 491-811, respectively.

Electrochemical detection of β-lactoglobulin based on a highly selective DNA aptamer and flower-like Au@BiVO4 microspheres

Beta-lactoglobulin is a natural milk protein and the main cause of infant milk allergy. In this work, a sensitive, selective and inexpensive electrochemical biosensor for the detection of β-lactoglobulin was developed. In this sensor, a DNA aptamer was used instead of an expensive antibody as the recognition group highly selective for β-lactoglobulin. The flower-like BiVO₄ microspheres were firstly found to have peroxidase mimic catalytic activity and used to amplify the electrochemical signal. The aptamer can bind β-lactoglobulin and fall off from the working electrode, after which the DNA2/Au/BiVO₄ probe can be fixed to the DNA1/AuNPs/ITO working electrode by the hybridization of DNA2 with DNA1. Therefore, a higher concentration of β-lactoglobulin leads to increased fabrication of the DNA2/Au/BiVO₄ probe on the surface of the working electrode, and thereby increases the electrochemical signal. This electrochemical biosensor exhibited a wide detection range from 0.01 to 1000 ng mL^-1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.007 ng mL^-1, which indicates a good potential application in the field of food analysis.

Influence of the presence of cations on the water and salt dynamics inside layered graphene oxide (GO) membranes

Although over the past few years, graphene oxide (GO) has emerged as a promising membrane material, the applicability of layered GO membranes in water purification/seawater desalination is still a challenging issue because of the undesirable swelling of GO laminates in the aqueous environment. One of the ways to tune the interlayer spacing and to arrest the undesirable swelling of layered GO membranes in the aqueous environment is to intercalate the interlayer spacing of the GO laminates with cations. Although the cation intercalation imparts stabilization to GO laminates in the aqueous environment, their effect on the performance of the membrane is yet to be addressed in detail. In the present study we have investigated the effect of cation intercalation on the performance of layered GO membranes using molecular dynamics simulation. For the same interlayer spacing, the cation intercalated layered GO membranes have a higher water flux as compared to the corresponding pristine layered GO membranes. In the presence of the cations, the water molecules inside the interlayer gallery get more compactly packed. The presence of the cations also increases the stability of the hydrogen bond network among the water molecules inside the membrane. This can be attributed to slow water reorientation dynamics inside the interlayer gallery in the presence of the cations. The synergistic effect of all these changes is that the water permeability through the cation intercalated layered GO membranes is higher as compared to that through the corresponding pristine layered GO membranes. On the other hand, the intercalation of the cations (K+, Mg2+) leads to higher rejection of Na+ ions whereas the rejection of Cl- ions slightly decreases.

Highly dispersive Pt-Pd nanoparticles on graphene oxide sheathed carbon fiber microelectrodes for electrochemical detection of H2O2 released from living cells

We report a facile strategy for the synthesis of surfactant-free, small and highly dispersive Pt-Pd nanoparticles on graphene oxide (Pt-Pd NPs/GO) by an electroless deposition method, which is sheathed on carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMs) as an electrochemical sensing platform for highly sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) released from the living cells. GO serves as the reducing agent and stabilizer for electroless deposition of Pd NPs on the surface of GO owing to its low work function (4.38 eV) and highly conjugated electronic structure. The obtained Pd NPs/GO have a relatively high work function (4.64 eV), and thereby could be used as stabilizer for synthesis of surfactant-free, small and highly dispersive Pt-Pd NPs/GO by chemical reduction of K₂PtCl₄. The obtained Pt-Pd NPs have a uniform size of 4.0 ± 0.6 nm on the surface of GO. Moreover, the Pt-Pd NPs/GO sheathed CFMs exhibit an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H₂O₂ with a low detection limit of 0.3 μM and good selectivity. These good properties enable the modified microelectrode to detect the H₂O₂ released from living cells.