Highly Sensitive Ethanol Chemical Sensor Based on Novel Ag-Doped Mesoporous α-Fe2O3 Prepared by Modified Sol-Gel Process

Using Sparfloxacin-Capped Gold Nanoparticles to Modify a Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode Sensor for Ethanol Determination

Alcohol is a dangerous substance causing global mortality and health issues, including mental health problems. Regular alcohol consumption can lead to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and increased risk of alcohol-related disorders. Thus, monitoring ethanol levels in biological samples could contribute to maintaining good health. Herein, we developed an electrochemical sensor for the determination of ethanol in human salivary samples. Initially, the tetra-chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) was chemically reduced using sparfloxacin (Sp) which also served as a stabilizing agent for the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). As-prepared Sp-AuNPs were comprehensively characterized and confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and elemental mapping analysis. The average particle size (~25 nm) and surface charge (negative) of Sp-AuNPs were determined by using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential measurements. An activated screen-printed carbon electrode (A-SPE) was modified using Sp-AuNPs dispersion, which exhibited greater electrocatalytic activity and sensitivity for ethanol (EtOH) oxidation in 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). DPV showed a linear response for EtOH from 25 µM to 350 µM with the lowest limit of detection (LOD) of 0.55 µM. Reproducibility and repeatability studies revealed that the Sp-AuNPs/A-SPEs were highly stable and very sensitive to EtOH detection. Additionally, the successful electrochemical determination of EtOH in a saliva sample was carried out. The recovery rate of EtOH spiked in the saliva sample was found to be 99.6%. Thus, the incorporation of Sp-AuNPs within sensors could provide new possibilities in the development of ethanol sensors with an improved level of precision and accuracy.

Strong nanozymatic activity of thiocyanate capped gold nanoparticles: an enzyme–nanozyme cascade reaction based dual mode ethanol detection in saliva

This article reports on the strong nanozymatic activity of thiocyanide capped gold nanoparticles (TC-AuNPs) in the presence of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H2O2.

Complex permittivity and power loss characteristics of α-Fe2O3/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites: effect of recycled α-Fe2O3 nanofiller

The development of microwave absorbing materials based on recycled hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles and polycaprolactone (PCL) was the main focus of this study. α-Fe₂O₃ was recycled from mill scale and reduced to nanoparticles through high energy ball milling in order to improve its complex permittivity properties. Different compositions (5% wt., 10% wt., 15% wt. and 20% wt.) of the recycled α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were melt-blended with PCL using a twin screw extruder to fabricate recycled α-Fe₂O₃/PCL nanocomposites. The samples were characterized for their microstructural properties through X - ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The complex permittivity and microwave absorption properties were respectively measured using the open ended coaxial (OEC) probe and a microstrip in connection with a vector network analyzer in the 1–4 GHz frequency range. An average α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticle size of 16.2 nm was obtained with a maximum imaginary (ε") part of permittivity value of 0.54 at 4 GHz. The complex permittivity and power loss values of the nanocomposites increased with recycled α-Fe₂O₃ nanofiller content. At 2.4 GHz, the power loss (dB) values obtained for all the nanocomposites were between 13.3 dB and 14.4 dB and at 3.4 GHz, a maximum value of 16.37 dB was achieved for the 20 % wt. nanocomposite. The recycled α-Fe₂O₃/PCL nanocomposites have the potential for use in noise reduction applications in the 1–4 GHz range.

Au Doping ZnO Nanosheets Sensing Properties of Ethanol Gas Prepared on MEMS Device

Sensitivity of the Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) device ZnO nanosheets sensor and the Au doped ZnO nanosheets sensor has been investigated. The ZnO samples have been prepared using Hydrothermal synthesis at 90 °C. The prepared ZnO nanostructure is tested for structural morphology and crystallinity properties. The elemental analysis of the ZnO sample and Au–ZnO samples are tested by using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) spectrum analysis. MEMS device microheater is designed and prepared for testing the sensitivity of Ethanol gas. Thermal properties of the MEMS microheater is studied for better gas testing at different temperatures. Both the ZnO nanosheets sensor and Au doped ZnO nanosheets sensor are tested using Ethanol gas, and the gas concentrations are taken to be 15, 30, 45, and 60 ppm at 300 °C. The gas sensing response of pure ZnO nanosheets tested for ethanol gas at 60 ppm showed 20%, while the Au–ZnO nanosheets showed 35%, which is increased by 15% at similar operating conditions.