An Enzyme-Free Photoelectrochemical Sensor Platform for Ascorbic Acid Detection in Human Urine

A novel enzyme-free photoelectrochemical (PEC) potential measurement system based on Dy-OSCN was designed for ascorbic acid (AA) detection. The separation and transmission of internal carriers were accelerated and the chemical properties became more stable under light excitation due to the regular microstructure of the prepared Dy-OSCN monocrystal. More importantly, the PEC potential method (OCPT, open circuit potential-time) used in this work was conducive to the reduction of photoelectric corrosion and less interference introduced during the detection process, which effectively ensured the repeatability and stability of the electrode. Under optimal conditions, the monocrystal successfully served as a matrix for the detection of AA, and the prepared PEC sensor exhibited a wide linear range from 7.94 × 10−6 mol/L to 1.113 × 10−2 mol/L and a sensitive detection limit of 3.35 μM. Practical human urine sample analysis further revealed the accuracy and feasibility of the Dy-OSCN-based PEC platform. It is expected that such a PEC sensor would provide a new way for rapid and non-invasive AA level assessment in human body constitution monitoring and lays a foundation for the further development of practical products.

The fabrication of an Ni6MnO8 nanoflake-modified acupuncture needle electrode for highly sensitive ascorbic acid detection

The current work describes the use of a steel acupuncture needle as an electrode substrate in order to construct an Ni₆MnO₈ nanoflake layer-modified microneedle sensor for highly sensitive ascorbic acid detection. For the purpose of constructing the functionalized acupuncture needle, first, a carbon film was layered on the needle surface as the seed layer. Subsequently, a straightforward hydrothermal reaction-calcination process was employed for the growth of Ni₆MnO₈ nanoflakes on the needle to function as a sensing interface. Electrochemical investigations illustrated the fact that the Ni₆MnO₈ nanoflake-altered acupuncture needle electrode manifested outstanding efficiency toward the amperometric identification of ascorbic acid. In addition, the electrode manifested elevated sensitivity of 3106 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², detection limit of 0.1 μM, and a broad linear range between 1.0 μM and 2.0 mM. As demonstrated by the results, the Ni₆MnO₈ nanoflake-modified acupuncture needle constitutes a potentially fresh platform to construct non-enzymatic ascorbic acid sensors.

An Ni₆MnO₈ nanoflake layer-modified microneedle sensor was constructed for highly sensitive ascorbic acid detection.

Application of Hierarchical CuO Bowl-like Array Film to Amperometric Detection of l-Ascorbic Acid

A hierarchical CuO array film was fabricated by electrochemical deposition with the aid of a colloidal monolayer as a template, followed by oxidation at high temperature. The prepared CuO film with a granular structure was arranged with ordered, hexagonal close-packed, and bowl-like pores. Combined with a gold layer sputtered on a glass substrate, this CuO array film was used as an electrochemical electrode in the amperometric detection of l-ascorbic acid. The array film exhibited a high sensitivity of 3484 μA mM^-1 cm^-2, a wide linear range from 1 μM to 7 mM, and a detection limit of 0.2 μM. Excellent stability was also achieved. The results demonstrate that the hierarchical CuO bowl-like array film is a promising new platform for the construction of non-enzymatic ascorbic acid sensors.

Synthesis of an ordered nanoporous Fe2O3/Au film for application in ascorbic acid detection

Ordered nanoporous Fe₂O₃/Au film was synthesized and used as an effective non-enzymatic sensor for detection of ascorbic acid.