A novel photoelectrochemical sensor for the organophosphorus pesticide dichlofenthion based on nanometer-sized titania coupled with a screen-printed electrode

A novel photoelectrochemical sensor for detection of the organophosphorus pesticide (OP) dichlofenthion using nanometer-sized titania coupled with a screen-printed electrode is presented. Nonelectroactive dichlofenthion can be indirectly determined through the photocatalytical degradation of dichlofenthion with nanometer-sized titania. The electrochemical characterization and anodic stripping voltammetric performance of dichlofenthion were evaluated using cyclic voltammetric (CV) and differential pulse anode stripping voltammetric (DPASV) analysis, respectively. DPASV analysis was used to monitor the amount of dichlofenthion and provide a simple, fast, and facile quantitative method for dichlofenthion. Operational parameters, including the photocatalysis time, pH of buffer solution, deposition potential, and accumulation time have been optimized. The stripping voltammetric response is linear over the 0.02-0.1 and 0.2-1.0 μmol/L ranges with a detection limit of 2.0 nmol/L. The assay result of dichlofenthion in green vegetable with the proposed method was in acceptable agreement with that of the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) method. The promising sensor opens a new opportunity for fast, portable, and sensitive analysis of OPs in environmental samples.     

Electrochemical sensor for detecting ultratrace nitroaromatic compounds using mesoporous SiO2-modified electrode

An electrochemical sensor for ultratrace nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) using mesoporous SiO2 of MCM-41 as sensitive materials is reported. MCM-41 was synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle X-ray diffraction. Glassy carbon electrodes modified with MCM-41 show high sensitivity for cathodic voltammetric detection of NACs (including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB), 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 1,3-dinitrobenzene) down to the nanomolar level. The high sensitivity is attributed to the strong adsorption of NACs by MCM-41 and large surface area of the working electrode resulting from MCM-41 modification. The voltammetric response is fast, and the detection of NACs can be finished within 14 s. SiO2 nanospheres were similarly used to modify glassy carbon electrodes for electrochemical detection of TNT and TNB. The detection limit of SiO2 nanosphere-modified electrodes is lower than that of MCM-41-modified electrodes, possibly due to the smaller surface area of SiO2 nanospheres than mesoporous MCM-41. The results show mesoporous SiO2-modified glassy carbon electrodes, particularly MCM-41-modified electrodes, open new opportunities for fast, simple, and sensitive field analysis of NACs.     

Disposable electrochemical immunosensor diagnosis device based on nanoparticle probe and immunochromatographic strip

We describe a disposable electrochemical immunosensor diagnosis device that integrates the immunochromatographic strip technique with an electrochemical immunoassay and exploits quantum dot (QD, CdS@ZnS) as labels for amplifying signal output. The device takes advantage of the speed and low cost of the conventional immunochromatographic strip test and the high sensitivity of the nanoparticle-based electrochemical immunoassay. A sandwich immunoreaction was performed on the immunochromatographic strip, and the captured QD labels in the test zone were determined by highly sensitive stripping voltammetric measurement of the dissolved metallic component (cadmium) with a disposable screen-printed electrode, which is embedded underneath the membrane on the test zone. The new device coupled with a portable electrochemical analyzer shows great promise for in-field and point-of-care quantitative testing of disease-related protein biomarkers. The parameters (e.g., voltammetric measurement of QD labels, antibody immobilization, the loading amount of QD-antibody, and the immunoreaction time) that govern the sensitivity and reproducibility of the device were optimized with IgG model analyte. The voltammetric response of the optimized device is highly linear over the range of 0.1-10 ng mL(-1) IgG, and the limit of detection is estimated to be 30 pg mL(-1) in association with a 7-min immunoreaction time. The detection limit was improved to 10 pg mL(-1) using a 20-min immunoreaction time. The device has been successfully applied for the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in human serum sample with a detection limit of 20 pg mL(-1). The results were validated by using the commercial PSA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and showed high consistency. The new disposable electrochemical diagnosis device thus provides a rapid, clinically accurate, and quantitative tool for protein biomarker detection.     

Versatile immunosensor using CdTe quantum dots as electrochemical and fluorescent labels

A versatile immunosensor using CdTe quantum dots as electrochemical and fluorescent labels has been developed for sensitive protein detection. This sandwich-type sensor is fabricated on an indium tin oxide chip covered with a well-ordered gold nanoparticle monolayer. Gel imaging systems were successfully introduced to develop a novel high-efficient optical immunoassay, which could perform simultaneous detection for the samples with a series of different concentrations of a target analyte. The linear range of this assay was between 0.1 and 500 ng/mL, and the assay sensitivity could be further increased to 0.005 ng/mL with the linear range from 0.005 to 100 ng/mL by stripping voltammetric analysis. The immunosensor showed good precision, high sensitivity, acceptable stability, and reproducibility and could be used for the detection of real sample with consistent results in comparison with those obtained by the ELISA method.     

Magnetic electrochemical immunoassays with quantum dot labels for detection of phosphorylated acetylcholinesterase in plasma

A new magnetic electrochemical immunoassay has been developed as a tool for biomonitoring exposures to organophosphate (OP) compounds, e.g., insecticides and chemical nerve agents, by directly detecting organophosphorylated acetylcholinesterase (OP-AChE). This immunoassay uniquely incorporates highly efficient magnetic separation with ultrasensitive square wave voltammetry (SWV) analysis with quantum dots (QDs) as labels. A pair of antibodies was used to achieve the specific recognition of OP-AChE that was prepared with paraoxon as an OP model agent. Antiphosphoserine polyclonal antibodies were anchored on amorphous magnetic particles preferably chosen to capture OP-AChE from the sample matrixes by binding their phosphoserine moieties that were exposed through unfolding the protein adducts. This was validated by electrochemical examinations and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Furthermore, antihuman AChE monoclonal antibodies were labeled with cadmium-source QDs to selectively recognize the captured OP-AChE, as characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The subsequent electrochemical SWV analysis of the cadmium component released by acid from the coupled QDs was conducted on disposable screen-printed electrodes. Experimental results indicated that the SWV-based immunoassays could yield a linear response over a broad concentration range of 0.3-300 ng/mL OP-AChE in human plasma with a detection limit of 0.15 ng/mL. Such a novel electrochemical immunoassay holds great promise as a simple, selective, sensitive, and field-deployable tool for the effective biomonitoring and diagnosis of potential exposures to nerve agents and pesticides.     

Nanostructured electrochemical sensors based on functionalized nanoporous silica for voltammetric analysis of lead, mercury, and copper

We have successfully developed electrochemical sensors based on functionalized nanostructured materials for voltammetric analysis of toxic metal ions. Glycinylurea self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous silica (Gly-UR SAMMS) were incorporated in carbon paste electrodes for the detection of toxic metal ions such as lead, copper, and mercury based on adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV). The electrochemical sensor yields a linear response at a low ppb level of Pb2+ (i.e., 2.5-50 ppb) after a 2-min preconcentration period, with reproducible measurements (%RSD = 3.5, N = 6) and an excellent detection limit (1 ppb). By exploiting the interfacial functionality of Gly-UR SAMMS, the sensor is selective for the target species, does not require the use of a mercury film, and can be easily regenerated in dilute acid solution. The rigid, open, parallel pore structure, combined with suitable interfacial chemistry of SAMMS, also results in fast analysis times (2-3 min). The nanostructured SAMMS materials enable the development of miniature sensing devices that are compact and low cost, have low energy consumption, and are easily integrated into field-deployable units.     

Rapid diagnostic barcode system for codetection of multiple protein markers

An ultrasensitive immunodiagnostic readout method based on an electrochemical analysis is presented. Different inorganic quantum dot (QD) nanocrystals (ZnS, CdS, and PbS) are tagged to antibodies for the on-site voltammetric stripping measurements of multiple antigen targets. The multiprotein electrical sensing capability is coupled to the amplification feature of anodic stripping voltammetric transduction and with an efficient magnetic removal (to minimize nonspecific adsorption and cross-reactivity effects). Sandwich-immunoassay formats were performed using model proteins (/spl beta//sub 2/-microglobulin, myoglobin, and human serum albumin). These encoding QD tracers with distinct redox potential yield highly sensitive and selective stripping peaks at -1.11 V (Zn), -0.67 V (Cd), and -0.52 V (Pb) at the mercury-film screen printed carbon electrode (versus Ag/AgCl reference). The position and size of these peaks reflect the identity and risk level of the corresponding antigen marker. The favorable signal-to-noise characteristics of the response for the initial 25-ng/mL mixture indicate a detection limit of ca. 10 ng/mL far below the early warning range and allow a reliable determination of very low protein concentrations. Such analog peaks of the QDs were converted to simple and rapid barcode signals. The digital readout system can code 215 electrically tuned barcodes to mark different protein analytes and to be useful for a wireless communication system.     

Magneto immunoassays for Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 related to malaria based on magnetic nanoparticles

Magneto immunoassay-based strategies for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) related to malaria are described for the first time by using magnetic micro- and nanoparticles. The covalent immobilization of a commercial monoclonal antibody toward the HRP2 protein in magnetic beads and nanoparticles was evaluated and compared. The immunological reaction for the protein HRP2 was successfully performed in a sandwich assay on magnetic micro- and nanoparticles by using a second monoclonal antibody labeled with the enzyme, horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Then, the modified magnetic particles were easily captured by a magneto sensor made of graphite-epoxy composite (m-GEC) which was also used as the transducer for the electrochemical detection. The performance of the immunoassay-based strategy with the electrochemical magneto immunosensors was successfully evaluated and compared with a novel magneto-ELISA based on optical detection using spiked serum samples. Improved sensitivity was obtained when using 300 nm magnetic nanoparticles in both cases. The electrochemical magneto immunosensor coupled with magnetic nanoparticles have shown better analytical performance in terms of limit of detection (0.36 ng mL(-1)), which is much lower than the LOD reported by other methods. Moreover, at a low level of HRP2 concentration of 31.0 ng mL(-1), a signal of 15.30 μA was reached with a cutoff value of 0.34 μA, giving a clear positive result with a non-specific adsorption ratio of 51. Due to the high sensitivity, this novel strategy offers great promise for rapid, simple, cost-effective, and on-site detection of falciparum malaria disease in patients, but also to screen out at-risk blood samples for prevention of transfusion-transmitted malaria.     

Magnetic electrochemical sensing platform for biomonitoring of exposure to organophosphorus pesticides and nerve agents based on simultaneous measurement of total enzyme amount and enzyme activity

We report a new approach for electrochemical quantification of enzymatic inhibition and phosphorylation for biomonitoring of exposure to organophosphorus (OP) pesticides and nerve agents based on a magnetic bead (MB) immunosensing platform. The principle of this approach is based on the combination of MB immunocapture-based enzyme activity assay and competitive immunoassay of the total amount of enzyme for simultaneous detection of enzyme inhibition and phosphorylation in biological fluids. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was chosen as a model enzyme. In competitive immunoassay, the target BChE in a sample competes with the BChE immobilized on the MBs to bind to the limited sites of anti-BChE antibody labeled with quantum dots (QD-anti-BChE), followed by stripping voltammetric analysis of the bound QD conjugate on the MBs. This assay shows a linear response over the total BChE concentration range of 0.1-20 nM. Simultaneous real time BChE activity was measured on an electrochemical carbon nanotube-based sensor coupled with a microflow injection system after immunocapture by the MB-anti-BChE conjugate. Therefore, the formed phosphorylated BChE adduct (OP-BChE) can be estimated by the difference values of the total amount of BChE (including active and OP-inhibited) and active BChE from established calibration curves. This approach not only eliminates the difficulty in screening of low-dose OP exposure (less than 20% inhibition of BChE) because of individual variation of BChE values but also avoids the drawback of the scarce availability of OP-BChE antibody. It is sensitive enough to detect 0.5 nM OP-BChE, which is less than 2% BChE inhibition. This method offers a new method for rapid, accurate, selective, and inexpensive quantification of OP-BChE and enzyme inhibition for biomonitoring of OP and nerve agent exposures.     

Amplified electrochemical detection of a cancer biomarker by enhanced precipitation using horseradish peroxidase attached on carbon nanotubes

An electrochemical nanoimmunosensor based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was developed for the amplified detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The amplified detection was achieved by the enhanced precipitation of 4-chloro-1-naphthol (CN) using a higher number of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) molecules attached on MWCNTs. The PSA nanoimmunosensor was fabricated by immobilizing a monoclonal anti-PSA antibody (anti-PSA) on the AuNP-attached thiolated MWCNT on a gold electrode. The sensor surface was characterized using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, quartz crystal microbalance, and electrochemical techniques. Cyclic and square wave voltammetric techniques were used to monitor the enhanced precipitation of CN that accumulated on the electrode surface and subsequent decrement in the electrode surface area by monitoring the reduction process of the Fe(CN)(6)(3-)/Fe(CN)(6)(4-) redox couple. Under the optimized experimental condition, the linear range and the detection limit of PSA immunosensor were determined to be 1.0 pg/mL to 10.0 ng/mL and 0.40 ± 0.03 pg/mL, respectively. The validity of the proposed method was compared with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in various PSA spiked human serum samples.     

A composite prepared from covalent organic framework and gold nanoparticles for the electrochemical determination of enrofloxacin

A high conductivity composite based on covalent organic frameworks/gold nanoparticles (TAPB-PDA-COFs/AuNPs, TAPB: 3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene, PDA: p-phthalaldehyde) was prepared by a simple in-situ synthesized method and a novel electrochemical sensor based on TAPB-PDA-COFs/AuNPs was constructed for detection of Enrofloxacin (ENR). A variety of different characterization techniques including ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometer (UV–vis), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the TAPB-PDA-COFs/AuNPs. ENR was detected by square wave stripping voltammetry (SWV) according to the relationship between the ENR concentration and the oxidation peak current. The result showed that TAPB-PDA-COFs/AuNPs was synthesized successfully. The electrochemical sensor showed two linear ranges in the range of 0.05–10 μmol L^?1 and 10–120 μmol L^?1 with the limit of detection of 0.041 μmol L^?1 (S/N = 3). The good recoveries (96.7–102.2%) and low RSDs (0.9–6.4%) indicated the possibility of using this sensor for actual sample detection. Therefore, TAPB-PDA-COFs/AuNPs-based electrochemical sensor showed good performance in detecting ENR, and would be a potential candidate for the development of fluoroquinolones determination.     

Determination of cardiac troponin I for the auxiliary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction by anodic stripping voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode

An electrochemical immunoassay for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) combining the concepts of the dual monoclonal antibody "sandwich" principle, the silver enhancement on the nano-gold particle, and the anodic stripping voltammetry is described. Four main steps were carried out to obtain the analytical signal, i.e., electrode preparation, immunoreaction, silver enhancement, and anodic stripping voltammetric detection. A linear relationship between the anodic stripping peak current and concentration of cTnl from 1 to 20 ng/ml and a limit of detection of 0.8 ng/ml were obtained. The established method was tested by determining cTnI in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) samples using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) for comparison analysis, and good results were obtained.     

Metallic nanoparticle-carbon nanotube composites for electrochemical determination of explosive nitroaromatic compounds

Metal nanoparticles (Pt, Au, or Cu) together with multiwalled and single-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT and SWCNT) solubilized in Nafion have been used to form nanocomposites for electrochemical detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and several other nitroaromatics. Electrochemical and surface characterization by cyclic voltammetry, AFM, TEM, SEM, and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of metal nanoparticles on CNTs. Among various combinations tested, the most synergistic signal effect was observed for the nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (GC) containing Cu nanoparticles and SWCNT solubilized in Nafion. This combination provided the best sensitivity for detecting TNT and other nitroaromatic compounds. Adsorptive stripping voltammetry for TNT resulted in a detection limit of 1 ppb, with linearity up to 3 orders of magnitude. Selectivity toward the number and position of the nitro groups in different nitroaromatics was very reproducible and distinct. Reproducibility of the TNT signal was within 7% (n = 8) from one electrode preparation to another, and the response signal was stable (+/-3.8% at 95% confidence interval) for 40 repeated analyses with 10 min of preconditioning. The Cu-SWCNT-modified GC electrode was demonstrated for analysis of TNT in tap water, river water, and contaminated soil.     

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Electrode as a Sensor for Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Hydrochlorothiazide

The study of electrochemical behavior and determination of hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic and antihypertensive drug, on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is described by adsorptive stripping voltammetry in open circuit potential. The cyclic voltammetric results indicate that MCNTs remarkably enhance the oxidation of hydrochlorothiazide in wide pH range of 2.0–9.5, which is leading to considerable improvement of anodic peak current for hydrochlorothiazide, and allow the development of a highly sensitive voltammetric sensor for determination of hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical and urine samples. Electrochemical studies by alpha-Fe$_{2}$O $_{3}$ nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode show these oxides have no electrocatalytic effect for hydrochlorothiazide oxidation and support iron oxide impurities in the MCNTs are not active sites in sensing of hydrochlorothiazide. Under optimized conditions, the oxidation peak have two linear dynamic range of 2.0–20.0 nM and 0.2–100.0 $mu$M with experimental detection limit of 0.8 nM and a precision of $≪hbox{4}hbox{%}$ (RSD for 8 analysis).      

Electrochemical detectors prepared by electroless deposition for microfabricated electrophoresis chips

Microfabricated capillary electrophoresis (CE) chips with integrated electrochemical detection have been developed on glass substrates. An electroless deposition procedure was used to deposit a gold film directly onto the capillary outlet to provide high-sensitivity electrochemical detection for catechol and several nitroaromatic explosives. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the electroless gold film contains nanoscopic gold aggregates (100-150 nm) with an average thickness of 79 nm. The electroless deposition procedure can be easily and routinely performed in any wet-chemistry laboratory, and electroless gold can be deposited onto complex and internal surfaces. Intimate coupling of electrochemical detection and CE chips obviates the need for a coupling mechanism or tedious alignment procedures. With nitroaromatic compounds as a working model, microchip capillary electrophoresis equipped with electroless gold has proven to provide high sensitivity and fast response times for sensor applications. The CE microchip system was capable of separation and determination of explosive compounds including TNT in less than 130 s with detection limits ranging from 24 to 36 microg/L, i.e., 4-fold enhancements in detection efficiency in comparison to thick-film technology.     

A renewable electrochemical magnetic immunosensor based on gold nanoparticle labels

A particle-based renewable electrochemical magnetic immunosensor was developed by using magnetic beads and gold nanoparticle labels. Anti-IgG antibody-modified magnetic beads were attached to a renewable carbon paste transducer surface by magnet that was fixed inside the sensor. Gold nanoparticle labels were capsulated to the surface of magnetic beads by sandwich immunoassay. Highly sensitive electrochemical stripping analysis offers a simple and fast method to quantify the capatured gold nanoparticle tracers and avoid the use of an enzyme label and substrate. The stripping signal of gold nanoparticles is related to the concentration of target IgG in the sample solution. A transmission electron microscopy image shows that the gold nanoparticles were successfully capsulated to the surface of magnetic beads through sandwich immunoreaction events. The parameters of immunoassay, including the loading of magnetic beads, the amount of gold nanoparticle conjugate, and the immunoreaction time, were optimized. The detection limit of 0.02 microg ml(-1) of IgG was obtained under optimum experimental conditions. Such particle-based electrochemical magnetic immunosensors could be readily used for simultaneous parallel detection of multiple proteins by using multiple inorganic metal nanoparticle tracers and are expected to open new opportunities for disease diagnostics and biosecurity.     

Triple signal amplification of graphene film, polybead carried gold nanoparticles as tracing tag and silver deposition for ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensing

A triple signal amplification strategy was designed for ultrasensitive immunosensing of cancer biomarker. This strategy was achieved using graphene to modify immunosensor surface for accelerating electron transfer, poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) microbead (PSA) carried gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as tracing tag to label signal antibody (Ab(2)) and AuNPs induced silver deposition for anodic stripping analysis. The immunosensor was constructed by covalently immobilizing capture antibody on chitosan/electrochemically reduced graphene oxide film modified glass carbon electrode. The in situ synthesis of AuNPs led to the loading of numerous AuNPs on PSA surface and convenient labeling of the tag to Ab(2). With a sandwich-type immunoreaction, the AuNPs/PSA labeled Ab(2) was captured on the surface of an immunosensor to further induce a silver deposition process. The electrochemical stripping signal of the deposited silver nanoparticles in KCl was used to monitor the immunoreaction. The triple signal amplification greatly enhanced the sensitivity for biomarker detection. The proposed method could detect carcinoembryonic antigen with a linear range of 0.5 pg mL(-1) to 0.5 ng mL(-1) and a detection limit down to 0.12 pg mL(-1). The immunosensor exhibited good stability and acceptable reproducibility and accuracy, indicating potential applications in clinical diagnostics.     

Electrochemical impedance immunosensor based on three-dimensionally ordered macroporous gold film

A novel label-free immunosensor for the detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) was developed based on a three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) gold film modified electrode by using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The electrode was electrochemically fabricated with an inverted opal template, making the surface area of the 3DOM gold film up to 14.4 times higher than that of a classical bare flat one, characterized by the cyclic voltammetric (CV) technique. The 3DOM gold film which was composed of interconnected gold nanoparticles not only has a good biocompatible microenvironment but also promotes the increase of conductivity and stability. The CRP immunosensor was developed by covalently conjugating CRP antibodies with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) on the 3DOM gold film electrode. The CRP concentration was measured through the increase of impedance values in the corresponding specific binding of CRP antigen and CRP antibody. The increased electron-transfer resistance (R(et)) values were proportional to the logarithmic value of CRP concentrations in the range of 0.1 to 20 ng mL(-1). The detection of CRP levels in three sera obtained from hospital showed acceptable accuracy.     

Electric field-driven strategy for multiplexed detection of protein biomarkers using a disposable reagentless electrochemical immunosensor array

A fast, simple, sensitive, and low-cost method for electrochemical multianalyte immunoassay was developed by combining newly designed electric field-driven incubation with a screen-printed reagentless immunosensor array. The disposable array was prepared by immobilizing respectively horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled antibodies modified gold nanoparticles in biopolymer/sol-gel modified electrodes to obtain direct electrochemical responses of HRP. Upon the formation of immunocomplexes, the responses decreased due to increasing spatial blocking and impedance. At a driving potential of 0.5 V, the incubation process could be accomplished within 2 min. Under optimal conditions, this method could simultaneously detect carbohydrate antigens 153, 125, and 199 and carcinoembryonic antigens ranging from 0.084 to 16, 0.11 to 13, and 0.16 to 15 U mL(-1) and 0.16 to 9.2 ng mL(-1) with a detection time of less than 5 min, and the detection limits corresponding to the signals of 3SD were 0.06, 0.03, and 0.10 U mL(-1) and 0.04 ng mL(-1), respectively. The disposable immunosensor array and simple detection system for fast measurement of panels of tumor markers show significant clinical value for application in cancer screening and provide great potential for convenient point-of-care testing and commercial application.     

Poly-cobalt[tetrakis(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin] nanowire and single-walled carbon nanotube for the analysis of hydrogen peroxide

Nanowires of poly-cobalt[tetrakis(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin] (PCoTAPPNW) were fabricated by electrochemical polymerization by the cyclic voltammetric method in anodic aluminum oxide membranes. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by PCoTAPPNW and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) without any binder was investigated with voltammetric methods in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at pH 7.4. The PCoTAPPNW + SWNT/GCE exhibited strongly enhanced voltammetric and amperometric sensitivity towards hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which shortened the response time (< 5 seconds), showed detection limit of 1.0 microM and enhanced the sensitivity for H2O2 detection with 194 microA mM(-1) cm(-2). The PCoTAPPNW + SWNT/GCE can be used to monitor H2O2 at very low concentration in physiological pH as an efficient electrochemical H2O2 sensor.