Enhanced photoelectrochemical biosensing performances for graphene (2D) - Titanium dioxide nanowire (1D) heterojunction polymer conductive nanosponges.

In this work, an efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensing platform has been designed and developed based on graphene (G) through modifying it into an electroconductive polymer nanosponge (EPNS) and with the incorporation of titanium dioxide nanowires (TiO2 NW) (designated as TiO2 (G) NW@EPNS). Functioning as an efficient immobilization matrix for immobilization of the enzyme Cytochrome C (Cyt C), TiO2 (G) NW@EPNS delivers features for an efficient PEC biosensor, such as fast kinetics of direct electron transfer (DET) to the electrode and effective separation of photogenerated holes and electrons. TiO2 (G) NW@EPNS exhibited DET to the electrode with a highly heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant of 6.29±0.002s-1. The existence of TiO2, G and EPNS in conjunction facilitates DET between the electrode surface and the protein. The fabricated PEC nitrite ion (NO2-) biosensor showed superior analytical performances such as wide linear range (0.5-9000µM), lowest detection limit (0.225mM) and excellent specificity for NO2- in the presence other interferences at a very low bias potential (-0.11V). This study opens up the feasibility of fabricating a PEC biosensor for any analyte using a matrix comprising of G and a photoactive material and EPNS, because these components synergistically contribute to effective immobilization of on enzyme, DET to the electrode and simple read-out under the light.

A novel bismuth oxychloride-graphene hybrid nanosheets based non-enzymatic photoelectrochemical glucose sensing platform for high performances.

A novel non-enzymatic photoelectrochemical (PEC) glucose sensor was first constructed based on the unique two-dimensional (2D) bismuth oxychloride-graphene nanohybrid sheets (BiOCl-G NHS). We have utilized a facile hydrothermal approach for the preparation of BiOCl-G NHS. Results from cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammetric measurements revealed that the BiOCl-G NHS electrode is capable of generating photocurrent for glucose when its surface is irradiated with a light source (wavelength=365nm). The photocurrents produced for the presence of glucose at the bias potential of +0.50V showed a linear dependence on glucose concentration in the range between 0.5 and 10mM and had a detection limit of 0.22mM. The PEC detection of glucose at BiOCl-G NHS was not influenced by the presence of other common interfering species. The glucose levels, as determined by the BiOCl-G NHS sensor, agreed well with those obtained by the commercial glucometers. This novel non-enzymatic PEC glucose sensor exhibited good performances, such as a wider concentration range (500µM-10mM), high sensitivity (1.878µMmM-1cm-2 (500µM-2mM) and 127.2µMmM-1cm-2 (2mM-10mM)), good selectivity, reproducibility (RSD=2.4%) and applicability to real sample (human serum).

A novel multicomponent redox polymer nanobead based high performance non-enzymatic glucose sensor.

The fabrication of a highly sensitive electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) dispersed in a graphene (G)-ferrocene (Fc) redox polymer multicomponent nanobead (MCNB) is reported. The preparation of MCNB involves three major steps, namely: i) the preparation of a poly(aniline-co-anthranilic acid)-grafted graphene (G-PANI(COOH), ii) the covalent linking of ferrocene to G-PANI(COOH) via a polyethylene imine (PEI), and iii) the electrodeposition of Cu NPs. The prepared MCNB (designated as G-PANI(COOH)-PEI-Fc/Cu-MCNB), contains a conductive G-PANI(COOH), electron mediating Fc, and electrocatalytic Cu NPs that make it suitable for ultrasensitive non-enzymatic electrochemical sensing. The morphology, structure, and electro activities of MCNB were characterized. Electrochemical measurements showed that the G-PANI(COOH)-PEI-Fc/Cu-MCNB/GCE modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic behavior towards the detection of glucose in a wide linear range (0.50 to 15mM), with a low detection limit (0.16mM) and high sensitivity (14.3µAmM(-1)cm(-2)). Besides, the G-PANI(COOH)-PEI-Fc/Cu-MCNB/GCE sensor electrode did not respond to the presence of electroactive interferrants (such as uric acid, ascorbic acid, and dopamine) and saccharides or carbohydrates (fructose, lactose, d-isoascorbic acid, and dextrin), demonstrating its selectivity towards glucose. The fabricated NEG sensor exhibited high precision for measuring glucose in serum samples, with an average RSD of 4.3% and results comparable to those of commercial glucose test strips. This reliability and stability of glucose sensing indicates that G-PANI(COOH)-PEI-Fc/Cu-MCNB/GCE would be a promising material for the non-enzymatic detection of glucose in physiological fluids.

Fabrication of a novel dual mode cholesterol biosensor using titanium dioxide nanowire bridged 3D graphene nanostacks.

Herein, we fabricated a novel electrochemical-photoelectrochemical (PEC) dual-mode cholesterol biosensor based on graphene (G) sheets interconnected-graphene embedded titanium nanowires (TiO2(G)-NWs) 3D nanostacks (designated as G/Ti(G) 3DNS) by exploiting the beneficial characteristics of G and TiO2-NWs to achieve good selectivity and high sensitivity for cholesterol detection. The G/Ti(G) 3DNS was fabricated by the reaction between functionalized G and TiO2(G)-NWs. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) was subsequently immobilized in to G/Ti(G) 3DNS using chitosan (CS) as the binder and the dual mode G/Ti(G) 3DNS/CS/ChOx biosensor was fabricated. The electro-optical properties of the G/Ti(G) 3DNS/CS/ChOx bioelectrode were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The cyclic voltammetry of immobilized ChOx showed a pair of well-defined redox peaks indicating direct electron transfer (DET) of ChOx. The amperometric reduction peak current (at -0.05V) linearly increased with increase in cholesterol concentration. The G/Ti(G) 3DNS/CS/ChOx bioelectrode was selective to cholesterol with a remarkable sensitivity (3.82µA/cm(2)mM) and a lower detection limit (6µM). Also, G/Ti(G) 3DNS/CS/ChOx functioned as photoelectrode and exhibited selective detection of cholesterol under a low bias voltage and light irradiation. Kinetic parameters, reproducibility, repeatability, storage stability and effect of temperature and pH were evaluated. We envisage that G/Ti(G) 3DNS with its prospective characteristics, would be a promising material for wide range of biosensing applications.

Sulfated Titania-Silica Reinforced Nafion Nanocomposite Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.

Sulfated titania-silica (SO4(2-)-/TiO2-SiO2) composites were prepared by a sol-gel method with sulfate reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The nanometric diameter and geometry of the sulfated titania-silica (STS) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A small amount of the STS composite in the range of 0.5-3 wt% was then added as reinforcing into the Nafion membrane by water-assisted solution casting method to prepare STS reinforced Nafion nanocomposite membranes (STS-Nafion nanocomposite membranes). The additional functional groups, sulfate groups, of the nanocomposite membrane having more surface oxygenated groups enhanced the fuel cell membrane properties. The STS-Nafion nanocomposite membranes exhibited improved water uptake compared to that of neat Nafion membranes, whereas methanol uptake values were decreased dramatically improved thermal property of the prepared nanocomposite membranes were measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, increased ion exchange capacity values were obtained by thermoacidic pretreatment of the nanocomposite membranes.

Passive approach for the improved dispersion of polyvinyl alcohol-based functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Nafion membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are regarded as ideal fillers for Nafion polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) for fuel cell applications. The highly aggregated properties of MWCNTs can be overcome by the successful cross-linking with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into the MWCNTs/Nafion membrane. In this study, a series of nanocomposite membranes were fabricated with the PVA-influenced functionalized MWCNTs reinforced into the Nafion polymer matrix by a solution casting method. Several different PVA contents were blended to f-MWCNTs/Nafion nanocomposite membranes followed by successful cross-linking by annealing. The surface morphologies and the inner structures of the resulting PVA-MWCNTs/Nafion nanocomposite membranes were then observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the dispersion of MWCNTs into the PVA/Nafion composite membranes. After that, the nanocomposite membranes were characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) to observe the thermal enhancement caused by effective cross-linking between the f-MWCNTs with the composite polymer matrixes. Improved water uptake with reduced methanol uptake revealed the successful fabrication of PVA-blended f-MWCNTs/Nafion membranes. In addition, the ion exchange capacity (IEC) was evaluated for PEM fuel cell (PEMFC) applications.

Non-covalent bonding interaction of surfactants with functionalized carbon nanotubes in proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications.

Dispersion of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in proton exchange membranes (PEMs) was conducted via non-covalent bonding between benzene rings of various surfactants and functionalized MWCNTs. In the solution casting method, dispersion of functionalized MWCNTs in PEMs such as Nafion membranes is a critical issue. In this study, 1 wt.% pristine MWCNTs (p-MWCNTs) and oxidized MWCNTs (ox-MWCNTs) were reinforced in Nafion membranes by adding 0.1-0.5 wt.% of a surfactant such as benzalkonium chloride (BKC) as a cationic surfactant with a benzene ring, Tween-80 as a nonanionic surfactant without a benzene ring, sodium dodecylsulfonate (SDS) as an anionic surfactant without a benzene ring, or sodium dodecylben-zenesulfonate (SDBS) as an anionic surfactant with a benzene ring and their effects on the dispersion of nanocomposites were then observed. Among these surfactants, those with benzene rings such as BKC and SDBS produced enhanced dispersion via non-covalent bonding interaction between CNTs and surfactants. Specifically, the surfactants were adsorbed onto the surface of functionalized MWCNTs, where they prevented re-aggregation of MWCNTs in the nanocomposites. Furthermore, the prepared CNTs reinforced nanocomposite membranes showed reduced methanol uptake values while the ion exchange capacity values were maintained. The enhanced properties, including thermal property of the CNTs reinforced PEMs with surfactants, could be applicable to fuel cell applications.

Bioelectrocatalytic determination of nitrite ions based on polyaniline grafted nanodiamond.

Polyaniline chains were grafted onto nanodiamond (PANI-g-ND) through electrochemical polymerization of aniline in the presence of amine functionalized ND. A robust and effective composite film comprising PANI-g-ND/gold particles was subsequently prepared. Cytochrome c was successfully immobilized onto PANI-g-ND/Au film. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) image of PANI-g-ND/Au reveals the presence of fibrous PANI embedded into ND galleries with uniformly distributed Au clusters (∼1 µm). Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of cyt c were investigated. PANI-g-ND/Au film showed an obvious direct electron transfer between cyt c and the underlying electrode. Cyclic voltammograms revealed that PANI-g-ND/Au/cyt c exhibited an excellent electrocatalysis towards the detection of nitrite ions. Differential pulse voltammetry of PANI-g-ND/Au/cyt c revealed a wide linear concentration range (0.5 µM-3 mM) for current responses, sensitivity (88.2 µA/mM) and low detection limit (0.16 µM) towards the electrochemical detection of nitrite ions.

One-pot construction of mediatorless bi-enzymatic glucose biosensor based on organic-inorganic hybrid.

A new methodology for the fabrication of bienzymatic amperometric glucose biosensor based on the use of an organic-inorganic hybrid is presented. The fabrication involves a self-assembly directed one-pot electrochemical process. Bi-enzymes, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and glucose oxidase (GOx) are immobilized into the porous and electroactive silica-polyaniline hybrid composite through electrochemical polymerization of N[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]aniline in the presence of enzymes. The modified electrode is designated as PTMSPA/HRP-GOx. The direct electron transfer of HRP is achieved at the modified electrode. Also, the electrode exhibits excellent bio-electro-catalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The response current at PTMSPA/HRP-GOx modified electrode revealed a good linear relationship with concentration of glucose range between 1 and 20mM with a response time of 7s. Thus, the modified electrode shows the combined advantages of polyaniline and silica networks through synergistic influence from the individual components. The PTMSPA assembly has shown the potential for a third generation amperometric biosensor.

Fabrication of enzymatic glucose biosensor based on palladium nanoparticles dispersed onto poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanofibers.

A new methodology involving the combination of a soft template (surfactant) and an ionic liquid (co-surfactant) is used to electrodeposit poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanofibers. Electrochemical deposition of palladium nanoparticles and glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilization are done sequentially into nanofibrous PEDOT to fabricate the modified electrode (ME) (denoted as PEDOT-Pd/GOx-ME). The PEDOT-Pd/GOx-ME displays excellent performances for glucose at +0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) with a high sensitivity (1.6 mA M(-)(1) cm(-2)) in a wider linear concentration range, 0.5 to 30 mM (correlation coefficient of 0.9985). Further, the electrode is insusceptible to the electroactive interfering species.

Hollow spherical nanostructured polydiphenylamine for direct electrochemistry and glucose biosensor.

Nanostructured, hollow spheres of polydiphenylamine (HS-PDPA) are prepared through a "soft template assisted self-assembly" approach. An enzymatic glucose biosensor is fabricated through immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOx) into HS-PDPA matrix. The HS-PDPA-GOx electrode exhibits a pair of well-defined reversible redox peaks with a fast heterogeneous electron transfer rate. At an applied potential of +0.65V, HS-PDPA-GOx electrode possesses high sensitivity (1.77 microAmM(-1)cm(-2)), stability and reproducibility towards glucose. The amperometric current response of HS-PDPA-GOx to glucose is linear in the concentration range between 1 and 28 mM with a detection limit of 0.05 mM (S/N=3). Also, HS-PDPA-GOx electrode shows high selectivity towards glucose in the presence of ascorbic acid, uric acid and acetaminophen at their maximum physiological concentrations.

A novel glucose biosensor based on immobilization of glucose oxidase into multiwall carbon nanotubes-polyelectrolyte-loaded electrospun nanofibrous membrane.

Nanofibrous glucose electrodes were fabricated by the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) into an electrospun composite membrane consisting of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dispersed with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) wrapped by a cationic polymer (poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)) and this nanofibrous electrode (NFE) is abbreviated as PMMA-MWCNT(PDDA)/GOx-NFE. The NFE was characterized for morphology and electroactivity by using electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. Field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) image reveals the dispersion of MWCNT(PDDA) within the matrix of PMMA. Cyclic voltammetry informs that NFE is suitable for performing surface-confined electrochemical reactions. PMMA-MWCNT(PDDA)/GOx-NFE exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) with a pronounced oxidation current at +100 mV. Glucose is amperometrically detected at +100 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) in 0.1M phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7). The linear response for glucose detection is in the range of 20 microM to 15 mM with a detection limit of 1 microM and a shorter response time of approximately 4 s. The superior performance of PMMA-MWCNT(PDDA)/GOx-NFE is due to the wrapping of PDDA over MWCNTs that binds GOx through electrostatic interactions. As a result, an effective electron mediation is achieved. A layer of nafion is made over PMMA-MWCNT(PDDA)/GOx-NFE that significantly suppressed the electrochemical interference from ascorbic acid or uric acid. In all, PMMA-MWCNT(PDDA)/GOx-nafion-NFE has exhibited excellent properties for the sensitive determination of glucose like high selectivity, good reproducibility, remarkable stability and without interference from other co-existing electroactive species.