Ferrocene-functionalized 4-(2,5-Di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)aniline: a novel design in conducting polymer-based electrochemical biosensors

New autonomous and self-signaling biosensing device for sarcosine detection

An early diagnosis is the gold standard for cancer survival. Biosensors have proven their effectiveness in monitoring cancer biomarkers but are still limited to a series of requirements. This work proposes an integrated power solution, with an autonomous and self-signaling biosensing device. The biorecognition element is produced in situ by molecular imprinting to detect sarcosine, a known biomarker for prostate cancer. The biosensor was assembled on the counter-electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), simultaneously using EDOT and Pyrrole as monomers for the biomimetic process and the catalytic reduction of triiodide in the DSSC. After the rebinding assays, the hybrid DSSC/biosensor displayed a linear behavior when plotting the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the charge transfer resistance (R_CT) against the logarithm of the concentration of sarcosine. The latter obtained a sensitivity of 0.468 Ω/decade of sarcosine concentration, with a linear range between 1 ng/mL and 10 μg/mL, and a limit of detection of 0.32 ng/mL. When interfacing an electrochromic cell, consisting of a PEDOT-based material, with the hybrid device, a color gradient between 1 ng/mL and 10 μg/mL of sarcosine was observed. Thus, the device can be used anywhere with access to a light source, completely equipment-free, suitable for point-of-care analysis and capable of detecting sarcosine within a range of clinical interest.

Poly(Thiophene)/Graphene Oxide-Modified Electrodes for Amperometric Glucose Biosensing

The availability of fast and non-expensive analytical methods for the determination of widespread interest analytes such as glucose is an object of large relevance; this is so not only in the field of analytical chemistry, but also in medicinal and in food chemistry. In this context, electrochemical biosensors have been proposed in different arrangements, according to the mode of electron transfer between the bioreceptor and the electrode. An efficient immobilization of an enzyme on the electrode surface is essential to assure satisfactory analytical performances of the biosensor in terms of sensitivity, limit of detection, selectivity, and linear range of employment. Here, we report the use of a thiophene monomer, (2,5-di(2-thienyl)thieno [3,2-b]thiophene (dTT-bT), as a precursor of an electrogenerated conducting film to immobilize the glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme on Pt, glassy carbon (GC), and Au electrode surfaces. In addition, the polymer film electrochemically synthetized on a glassy carbon electrode was modified with graphene oxide before the deposition of GOx; the analytical performances of both the arrangements (without and with graphene oxide) in the glucose detection were compared. The biosensor containing graphene oxide showed satisfactory values of linear dynamic range (1.0-10 mM), limit of detection (0.036 mM), and sensitivity (9.4 µA mM^-1 cm^-2). Finally, it was tested in the determination of glucose in fruit juices; the interference from fructose, saccharose, and ascorbic acid was evaluated.

Synthesis of a carbazole substituted unusual cobalt(ii)dioxime complex to design conducting polymers with caged metal centers for enhanced optical and electrical properties

Unique optical and electrical properties have been obtained by synthesis of the polycarbazole based conductive metallopolymer with caged metal centers.

Ultrasonic-assisted fabrication of thin-film electrochemical detector of H2O2 based on ferrocene-functionalized silver cluster

A novel ferrocene-functionalized silver cluster (FcAgCs) has been designed and synthesized with the assistant of ultrasound treatment and fully characterized by single crystal spectroscopy, IR, UV-Vis, XRD, TGA, NMR, CV and elemental analyses. Ultrasound synthesis method facilitates and accelerates synthesis of this amazing structure and plays a vital role in the synthesis of this special cluster. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveal that the cluster can be described as a cationic [(dppf)₂Ag₄(CC^tBu)₂(CH₃OH)₂]²⁺ (dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) species consisted of four rhombic silver atom and two isolated BF₄^- counter anions. Thermal stability greater than 200 °C and solution CV results show that the title cluster is sufficiently stable and suitable for the fabricating of FcAgCs/ITO thin-films and exploring as electrochemical responding materials. Based on its properties, we use it to prepare thin-films on ITO substrate by spin coating method. Verification of synthesis, thickness, uniformity and stability of the fabricated FcAgCs/ITO thin-films were characterized and confirmed by UV, XRD, SEM and the scotch tape adhesion peel test. Moreover, we use this FcAgCs/ITO thin-film electrode as thin-film electrochemical detector which shows sensitive and quick response in the detection of H₂O₂.

The effect of copolymerization and carbon nanoelements on the performance of poly(2,5-di(thienyl)pyrrole) biosensors

The development of biosensing interfaces based on copolymerization of benzenamine-2,5-di(thienyl)pyrrole (SNS-An) with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) is reported. Both homopolymer P(SNS-An) and copolymer P(SNS-An-co-EDOT) films were prepared and evaluated, in terms of biosensing efficiency, upon incorporation of carbon nanoelements (carbon nanotubes and fullerene) and cross-linking of glucose oxidase. The copolymer revealed superior performance as a biosensing interface as compared to the homopolymer structure or previously reported P(SNS) biosensors. The analytical characteristics and stability studies were performed both at cathodic potential, monitoring O₂ consumption, as a result of catalytic reaction of glucose oxidase towards glucose and at anodic potential, following the oxidation of the H₂O₂ produced during the catalytic reaction. Whilst the measurements on the positive side offered an extended linear range (0.01-5.0 mM), the negative side provided sensitivity up to 104.96 μA/mMcm^-1 within a shorter range. Detection limits were as low as 1.9 μM with Km value of 0.49 mM. Lastly, the most performant biosensing platforms, including copolymeric structure and CNTs were employed for analysis in real samples.

Self-powered and self-signalled autonomous electrochemical biosensor applied to cancinoembryonic antigen determination

This work describes a novel and disruptive electrochemical biosensing device that is self-powered by light and self-signalled by an optical readout. Electrical energy requirements are ensured by a photovoltaic cell that is a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC), in which one of the electrodes is the biosensing unit. The readout converts electrical energy into colour by an electrochromic cell and signals the concentration dependent event. This device was designed to target a cancer biomarker, cancinoembryonic antigen (CEA). In brief, the sensing unit was assembled on a conductive glass substrate with a highly conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) layer, using a molecularly-imprinted polymer of polypyrrol (PPy) as biorecognition element. This sensing unit acted as the counter electrode (CE) of the DSSC, generating a hybrid device with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 3.45% for a photoanode area of 0.7 cm². The hybrid DSSC/biosensor had an electrical output that was CEA concentration dependent from 100 ng/mL to 100 μg/mL, with a limit detection of 0.14 ng/mL in human urine samples. The electrochromic cell consisted of a PEDOT-based material and showed a colour gradient change for CEA concentrations, ranging from 0.1 ng/mL to 100 μg/mL. Overall, this self-powered and self-signalled set-up is equipment free and particularly suitable for point-of-care analysis (POC), being able to screen CEA in real samples and differentiating critical concentrations for establishing a diagnosis. It holds the potential to provide clinical relevant data anywhere, in a fully independent manner.

Photovoltaics, plasmonics, plastic antibodies and electrochromism combined for a novel generation of self-powered and self-signalled electrochemical biomimetic sensors

This work describes further developments into the self-powered and self-signalled biosensing system that merges photovoltaic cells, plastic antibodies and electrochromic cells into a single target. Herein, the plasmonic effect is introduced to improve the photoanode features of the photovoltaic cell, a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC), and better electrocatalytic features are introduced in the electrode containing the sensing element. In brief, the DSSC had a counter-electrode of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) on an FTO glass modified by a plastic antibody of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and pyrrol. The photoanode had dye sensitized TiO₂ modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to increase the cell efficiency, aiming to improve the sensitivity of the response of hybrid device for the target biomarker. The target biomarker was carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The response of the hybrid device evidenced a linear trend from 0.1 ng/mL to 10 μg/mL, with an anionic slope of 0.1431 per decade concentration. The response of the plastic antibody for CEA revealed great selectivity against other tumour markers (CA 15-3 or CA 125). The colour response of the electrochromic cell was also CEA concentration dependent and more sensitive when the hybrid device was set-up with a photoanode with AuNPs. A more intense blue colour was obtained when higher concentrations of CEA were present. Overall, this improved version of the self-powered and self-signalled set-up has zero-requirements and is particularly suitable for point-of-care analysis (POC). It is capable of screening CEA in real samples and differentiating clinical levels of interest. This concept opens new horizons into the current cancer screening approaches.

Perspectives of ferrocenyl chalcones: synthetic scaffolds toward biomedical and materials science applications

Ferrocene and its derivatives constitute versatile and interesting scaffolds for the global chemical enterprise due to its multiple applications that range from biomedical to materials science. Ferrocenyl derivatives are the leading compounds in our research for the syntheses and characterization as well as their potential biological applications. Among them, our recent focus has been in ferrocenyl chalcones as a framework for further derivatization. The proposed modifications consist on the incorporation of heterocyclic moieties into the ferrocenyl chalcone core. This can be afforded either by introducing a heterocyclic aromatic moiety as a substituent or functionalizing the α-β unsaturated system. Another modification explored is the formation of ammonium or pyridinium salts to increase water solubility. Studied ferrocenyl chalcones exhibit remarkable stability, physical, and electrochemical properties. These factors have led the approaches for them to be precursors of biologically active compounds (cancer, bacteria, malaria, and neurobiological diseases). Moreover, other potential applications include molecular materials, redox-sensors, and polymers. Our goal in this mini review is to highlight the chemistry of ferrocene derivatives with particular prominence to those ferrocenyl chalcones studied in our laboratory and their applications. Moreover, we are providing a background on ferrocene, chalcones, and ferrocenyl chalcones, emphasizing the methodologies with preeminent yields.

Copolymer based multifunctional conducting polymer film for fluorescence sensing of glucose

A simple, rapid and effective fluorescence sensing platform has been fabricated using a fluorescent conducting polymer surface. For this purpose, a rhodamine based electroactive monomer (RDC) and a functional group containing monomer (SNS) have been copolymerized to develop a conducting polymer based sensor platform having a fluorescence and enzyme-binding surface on ITO electrode. The proposed fluorescence sensing mechanism for detection of glucose is related to the consumption of dissolved oxygen at the double layer of the electrode which is fluorescence quenching agent by glucose-GOx reaction. Concentration of glucose was investigated quantitatively from 0.05 to 1 mM via fluorescence signal measurement. This novel approach could be adapted for the production of various rapid and effective fluorescence sensing platforms for glucose.

BioArtificial polymers

Nowadays, the polymer science has impact in practically all life areas. Countless benefits coming from the usage of materials with high mechanical and chemical resistance, variety of functionalities and potentiality of modification drive to the development of new application fields. Novel approaches of combining these synthetic substances with biomolecules lead to obtain multifunctional hybrid conjugates which merge the bioactivity of natural component with outstanding properties of artificial polymer. Over the decades, an immense progress in bioartificial composites domain allowed to reach a high level of knowledge in terms of natural-like systems engineering, leading to diverse strategies of biomolecule immobilization. Together with different available options, including covalent and noncovalent attachment, come various challenges, related mainly with maintaining the biological activity of fixed molecules. Even though the amount of applications that achieve commercial status is still not substantial, and is expanding continuously in the disciplines like “smart materials,” biosensors, delivery systems, nanoreactors and many others. A huge number of remarkable developments reported in the literature present a potential of bioartificial conjugates as a fabrics with highly controllable structure and multiple functionalities, serving as a powerful nanotechnological tool. This novel approach brings closer biologists, chemists and engineers, who sharing their effort and complementing the knowledge can revolutionize the field of bioartificial polymer science.

Rhodamine-based conjugated polymers: potentiometric, colorimetric and voltammetric sensing of mercury ions in aqueous medium

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a conducting polymer film used as a simple and novel multi-signal sensor platform which demonstrates ion selective potentiometric, colorimetric and voltammetric responses in aqueous media.

Smart windows application of carbazole and triazine based star shaped architecture

Triazine-based, star shape and electroactive monomer was successfully synthesized and electropolymerized. The polymer showed superior optoelectronic and thermal properties. Due to the fact that the redox color characteristics of the polymer are indispensable for smart windows, PTCZ-based electrochromic device was constructed.

Synthesis of a novel, fluorescent, electroactive and metal ion sensitive thienylpyrrole derivate

A new novel, pyrene modified, thiophene–pyrrole based monomer was synthesized via a Schiff base reaction. It showed sensitive fluorescence changes when interacting with metal ions. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of its polymer were investigated.

Vinyl ferrocenyl glycidyl ether: an unprotected orthogonal ferrocene monomer for anionic and radical polymerization

Vinyl ferrocenyl glycidyl ether (VfcGE) is the first ferrocene-based, orthogonal monomer for both anionic and radical polymerization to generate polyvalent and redox-active materials.