Supercapacitance of ruthenium oxide deposited on titania and titanium substrates

Titanium planar sheet formed by a chemical polishing process and titania nanotube array formed by an electrochemical anodization process are used as electrode substrates, on which electroactive ruthenium oxides are deposited by an electroreduction and electrooxidation process for supercapacitor applications. Morphological characterization and electrochemical properties of the electrode substrates and ruthenium oxide electrodes have been investigated. Crystalline titania nanotube array shows a much higher electric double layer capacitance than titanium planar sheet due to its high surface area of nanotube walls. Additionally, the well-defined ruthenium oxide–titania/titanium nanotube array electrode exhibits a much higher redox supercapacitance and a lower capacitance decay than ruthenium oxide/titanium planar film electrode. Such a superior energy-storage performance of ruthenium oxide–titania/titanium is ascribed to highly accessible nanotube channels for the reversible redox reaction of ruthenium oxide. The modification strategy of ruthenium oxide electrode by introducing highly ordered nanotube array structure instead of planar film structure can significantly improve specific capacitance as well as cyclic charge-discharge stability.     

Study of different carbon materials for amperometric enzyme biosensor development

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) electrodes which constitute a new research area in electrochemistry and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes were used as transducers for fabrication of glucose oxidase (GOD) biosensors. The amperometric signal of the enzyme electrode was due to the electro-oxidation of H₂O₂ generated in the enzyme layer. This work has shown that the detection limit of glucose on GOD/GC electrode is 20 μM while it is 50 μM on GOD/DLC electrode. The sensitivity of GOD/GC electrode decreases 4% after 8 days and we have good repeatability of measurements for GOD/DLC electrode in the same day.     

Aptamer based electrochemical sensor system for protein using the generation/collection mode of scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM)

To detect the target molecules, aptamers are currently focused on and the use of aptamers for biosensing is particularly interesting, as aptamers could substitute antibodies in bioanalytical sensing. So this paper describes the novel electrochemical system for protein in sandwich manner by using the aptamers and the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). For protein detection, sandwich system is ideal since labeling of the target protein is not necessary. To develop the electrochemical protein sensor system, thrombin was chosen as a target protein since many aptamers for it were already reported and two different aptamers, which recognize different positions of thrombin, were chosen to construct sandwich type sensing system. In order to obtain the electrochemical signal, the glucose oxidase (GOD) used for labeling the detection aptamers since it has large amount of stability in aqueous solution. One aptamer was immobilized onto the gold electrode and the other aptamer for detection was labeled with GOD for generation of the electric signal. Thrombin was detected in sandwich manner with aptamer immobilized onto the gold electrode and the GOD labeled aptamer. The enzymatic signal, generated from glucose addition after the formation of the complex of thrombin, was measured. The generation-collection mode of SECM was used for amperometric H2O2 detection.     

ZnS nanoparticles electrodeposited onto ITO electrode as a platform for fabrication of enzyme-based biosensors of glucose

The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical biosensors based on glucose oxidase (GOD) and ZnS nanoparticles modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode were investigated. The ZnS nanoparticles were electrodeposited directly on the surface of ITO electrode. The enzyme was immobilized on ZnS/ITO electrode surface by sol–gel method to fabricate glucose biosensor. GOD could electrocatalyze the reduction of dissolved oxygen, which resulted in a great increase of the reduction peak current. The reduction peak current decreased linearly with the addition of glucose, which could be used for glucose detection. Moreover, ZnS nanoparticles deposited on ITO electrode surface showed good photocurrent response under illumination. A photoelectrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose was also developed by monitoring the decreases in the cathodic peak photocurrent. The results indicated that ZnS nanoparticles deposited on ITO substrate were a good candidate material for the immobilization of enzyme in glucose biosensor construction.     

A graphene-laminated electrode with high glucose oxidase loading for highly-sensitive glucose detection

Graphene oxide(GO) has received considerable attention for glucose detection because of high surface area, abundant functional groups, and good biocompatibility. Defects and functional groups of the GO are beneficial to immobilization of glucose oxidase(GOD), but sacrificing electron-transfer capability for highly-sensitive detection. In order to obtain high GOD loading and highly-sensitive detection of biosensors, we first designed and fabricated a graphene-laminated electrode by combining GO and edgefunctionalized graphene(FG) layers together onto glassy-carbon electrode. The graphene-laminated electrodes exhibited faster electron transfer rate, higher GOD loading of 3.80 × 10^-9 mol·cm^-2, and higher detection sensitivity of 46.71 μA·mM^-1·cm^-2 than other graphene-based biosensors reported in literature. Such high performance is mainly attributed to the abundant functional groups of GO, high electrical conductivity of FG, and strong interactions between components in the graphene-laminated electrodes.By virtue of their high enzyme loading and highly-sensitive detection, the graphene-laminated electrodes show great potential to be widely used as high-performance biosensors in the field of medical diagnosis.     

A carbon nanotube needle biosensor

A carbon nanotube needle biosensor was developed to provide fast, cost effective and highly sensitive electrochemical detection of biomolecules. The sensor was fabricated based on an array of aligned multi-wall carbon nanotubes synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. A bundle of nanotubes in the array was welded onto the tip of a tungsten needle under a microscope. The needle was then encased in glass and a polymer coating leaving only the tip of the needle exposed. Cyclic voltammetry was performed to examine the redox behavior of the nanotube needle. The cyclic voltammetry results showed a steady-state response attributable to radial diffusion with a high steady-state current density. An amperometric sensor was then developed for glucose detection by physically attaching glucose oxidase on the nanotube needle. The amperometric response of these nanotube needles showed a high sensitivity with a low detection limit. It is expected that the nanotube needle can be sharpened to increase the sensitivity to the point where the current is almost too small to measure. The simple manufacturing method should allow commodity level production of highly sensitive electronic biosensors.     

Self-assembled diphenylalanine nanowires for cellular studies and sensor applications

In this paper we present a series of experiments showing that vertical self-assembled diphenylalanine peptide nanowires (PNWs) are a suitable candidate material for cellular biosensing. We grew HeLa and PC12 cells onto PNW modified gold surfaces and observed no hindrance of cell growth caused by the peptide nanostructures; furthermore we studied the properties of PNWs by investigating their influence on the electrochemical behavior of gold electrodes. The PNWs were functionalized with polypyrrole (PPy) by chemical polymerization, therefore creating conducting peptide/polymer nanowire structures vertically attached to a metal electrode. The electroactivity of such structures was characterized by cyclic voltammetry. The PNW/PPy modified electrodes were finally used as amperometric dopamine sensors, yielding a detection limit of 3,1 microM.     

Photochemical performance and electrochemical capacitance of titania nanocomplexes

Titania nanocomplexes, comprising the disordered nanoribbons or nanowires on the top surface and highly ordered nanotube array on the underlaying layer, has been fabricated by longitudinally splitting off nanotubes in a controlled anodization process. Anatase titania nanocomplexes show higher photovoltage and photocurrent responses and photocatalysis activity than titania nanotube array due to the enhanced light harvesting caused by nanoribbons and nanowires. Furthermore, titania nanowire-nanotube demonstrates a higher photoelectrical performance than nanoribbon-nanotube due to its thicker space charge layer caused by long nanotubes and more effective surface area contributed by nanowires. Cyclic charge-discharge measurements show that titania nanotube array exhibits a much higher electric double layer capacitance than titania nanocomplexes because the surface nanoribbons or nanowires inhibit the free diffusion and transportation of electrolyte ions into the underlaying nanotubes. Therefore, titania nanocomplexes can act as a photoactive material for photocatalysis applications and titania nanotube array can act as an electrode substrate for electrochemical supercapacitor applications.     

Photoelectrochemical behavior of titania nanotube array grown on nanocrystalline titanium

Surface nanocrystallization of titanium metal is processed by a high-energy shot peening treatment for drastic subdivision of bulk crystalline grains. Titania nanotube array directly grown on the nanocrystalline titanium substrate is achieved by a controlled anodization process. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and impedance spectroscopy analysis are conducted to investigate surface morphology, crystal phase, and electrical conductivity, respectively. The photoelectrochemical performance of the tailored titania nanotubes/titanium nanocrystallites has been investigated under UV light illumination. When the microstructure of the titanium substrate is modified from bulk crystals to nanocrystallites, the obtained titania nanotube array exhibits an independent structure with enlarged pore size and thinned tube wall, which is ascribed to the intensified anodic oxidation of ultrafine titanium crystallites along intergranular boundaries. Owing to the promoted interfacial electron transfer of the titania/nanocrystalline titanium, the complex impedance predominated by the charge transfer resistance has been significantly decreased in the electrochemical process. Both photocurrent and photovoltage responses have accordingly enhanced as well in the photoelectrochemical process.     

Electrodeposition of chitosan-glucose oxidase biocomposite onto Pt-Pb nanoparticles modified stainless steel needle electrode for amperometric glucose biosensor

A glucose biosensor was fabricated by electrodepositing chitosan (CS)-glucose oxidase(GOD) biocomposite onto the stainless steel needle electrode (SSN electrode) modified by Pt–Pb nanoparticles (Pt–Pb/SSN electrode). Firstly, Pt–Pb nanoparticles were deposited onto the SSN electrode and then CS-GOD biocomposite was co-electrodeposited onto the Pt–Pb/SSN electrode in a mixed solution containing p-benzoquinone (p-BQ), CS and GOD. The electrochemical results showed that the Pt–Pb nanoparticles can accelerate the electron transfer and improve the effective surface area of the SSN electrode. As a result, the detection range of the proposed biosensor was from 0.03 to 9 mM with a current sensitivity of 0.4485 μA/mM and a response time of 15 s. The Michaelis constant value was calculated to be 4.9837 mM. The cell test results indicated that the electrodes have a low cytotoxicity. This work provided a suitable technology for the fabrication of the needle-type glucose biosensor.     

Preparation and photoelectrochemical characterization of WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotube array electrode

WO₃/TiO₂ nanotube array electrode was fabricated by incorporating WO₃ with TiO₂ nanotube array via a wet impregnation method using ammonium tungstate as the precursor. TiO₂ and WO₃/TiO₂ nanotube arrays were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In order to characterize the photoelectrochemical properties of WO₃/TiO₂ electrode, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and steady-state photocurrent (i _ss) measurement at a controlled potential were performed in the supporting electrolyte containing different concentrations of glucose. The photoelectrochemical characterization results reveal that WO₃/TiO₂ nanotube array electrode possesses a much higher separation efficiency of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs and could generate more photoholes on the electrode surface compared with the pure TiO₂ nanotube array electrode. The i _ss for glucose oxidation at WO₃/TiO₂ nanotube array electrode is much higher than that at the pure TiO₂ nanotube array electrode.     

Glucose Detection With a Commercial MOSFET Using a ZnO Nanowires Extended Gate

ZnO nanowires were grown on Ag wire with a diameter of ${sim}hbox{250} mu$ m and used in an electrochemical sensor. The enzyme glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized on the ZnO nanowires, and the Ag wire was connected directly to the gate of a MOSFET. Upon exposure to glucose (1– $hbox{100} mu$M), the electrochemical response from the GOD induced a stable measurable voltage change on the gate leading to a strong modulation of the current through the MOSFET. For a sensor with uniform ZnO nanowires functionalized with GOD, a fast response time of less than 100 ms was demonstrated. The effect of the uniformity of the ZnO nanowires on the sensing property was also investigated. The extended-gate arrangement facilitated glucose detection in small sample volumes, and made it possible to demonstrate the present sensor concept using a standard low-threshold MOSFET. The extended-gate MOSFET sensor approach demonstrates the possibility and potential of the use of nanostructures coupled to standard electronic components for biosensing applications.      

电沉积羟基磷灰石修饰电极上的葡萄糖传感器的研制

在铂电极上电沉积羟基磷灰石（HAp）-聚乙烯醇（PVA）复合涂层,并将葡萄糖氧化酶（GOD）固定在羟基磷灰石HAp-PVA-Nafion复合膜,构建了高灵敏度、高选择性的葡萄糖传感器。固定在此电极上的GOD在pH 7.0的磷酸缓冲液（PBS）中展现出一对可逆性好的氧化还原峰,此电极对葡萄糖的氧化有良好的催化作用随葡萄糖浓度,在恒电位-0.92 V（相对于饱和甘汞电极）时测量溶解氧还原电流,结果显示,羟基磷灰石和Nafion良好的协同作用增强了GOD的电化学活性,促进了GOD与电极表面之间的电子转移,提高了传感器的穗定性与灵敏度,还原电流的衰减在浓度0.04-0.52 mmol dm~（-3）范围内与葡萄糖的浓度呈线性关系     

Determination of pentachlorophenol at carbon nanotubes modified electrode incorporated with beta-cyclodextrin

A facile and reliable electrochemical technique at beta-cyclodextrin incorporated carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (beta-CD/CNTs/GCE) was proposed for determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP). The electrochemical behavior of PCP at the beta-CD/CNTs/GCE was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The beta-CD/CNTs/GCE showed good analytical performance characteristics in electrocatalytic oxidation of PCP, compared with the simple carbon nanotube modified electrode (CNTs/GCE) and bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE). After accumulation for 5 min on beta-CD/CNTs/GCE, the peak current increased linearly with the concentration of PCP in the range from 8.0 x 10(-7) to 1.04 x 10(-5) mol/L. The detection limit was 4.0 x 10(-8) mol/L at 3 sigma level. The proposed electrode presented good repeatability for the determination of PCP in artificial wastewater, and the recovery was 97%-103%. This modified electrode combined the advantages of carbon nanotubes and supramolecular cyclodextrin, leading to new capabilities for electrochemical detection of PCP.     

Biocatalytic carbon paste sensors based on a mediator pasting liquid

The preparation and advantages of a new generation of carbon paste enzyme electrodes where the redox mediator acts also as the pasting liquid are described. The mediator pasting liquid concept is illustrated for amperometric biosensing of glucose in connection with either the tert-pentylferrocene or n-butylferrocene mediator/binder along with the glucose oxidase enzyme. The attractive performance and advantages of the new device is indicated from comparison to a conventional carbon paste biosensor using a mineral oil binder and the dimethylferrocene electron acceptor. The simplified preparation of the biosensor is coupled with a greatly improved sensitivity and an extended linear range. The mediator pasting liquid imparts high thermal stability onto the embedded enzyme and leads to good resistance to oxygen effects. Owing to the huge mediator reservoir, stability problems associated with the leaching of the mediator are greatly reduced. The fundamental aspects of the electrode behavior have been examined first in the absence of the enzyme. Variables affecting the performance of the new carbon paste biosensor have been investigated and optimized. Such use of the electron acceptor as a binder as well as the mediator offers considerable promise for the biosensing of numerous analytes of clinical and environmental significance.     

Enzyme electrodes with conductive polymer membranes and Langmuir-Blodgett films

A glucose sensor consisting of a conductive polypyrrole membrane and a lipid Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film has been investigated. Different arrangements of the biosensor on the electrodes examined were (1) electrode with glucose oxidase (GOD)-immobilized lipid LB films; (2) GOD-immobilized LB film coated on polypyrrole-modified electrode; (3) electrode with a GOD-immobilized polypyrrole membrane; (4) GOD-immobilized LB film coated on a GOD-polypyrrole-modified electrode. It was shown that the quality of the biosensor was apparently improved in case (4) with respect to both the detectable concentration range of glucose and the lifetime over which it could be used. The number of layers of the LB film has a marked influence on the sensitivity of the biosensor, an optimum number of layers existing for the best response. The mechanism of such an improvement is discussed.     

Flexible electrochemical biosensors based on O2 plasma functionalized MWCNT

A flexible glucose sensor is fabricated using O₂ plasma-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) films on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates and its performance is electrochemically characterized. After enzyme immobilization, the GOD/ MWCNT/Au/PDMS electrode exhibits a sensitivity of 18.15 μA mm^− 2mM^− 1 and a detection limit of 0.01 mM (signal to noise ratio was about 3). This high sensitivity may be attributed to a large enzyme loading and a higher electrocatalytic activity and electron transfer exhibited by O₂ plasma-functionalized CNTs than the pristine CNT, due to some oxygen-contained groups present on the O₂ plasma-functionalized CNT surface, which has been verified by XPS spectrum.     

GOD/PPy/GC电极的电化学性能研究

采用电沉积法在玻碳(GC)电极表面合成纳米级聚吡咯(PPy),通过扫描电镜得到PPy的形貌。以PPy为载体,通过吸附法固定葡萄糖氧化酶(GOD),得到GOD/PPy/GC电极。利用循环伏安法对GOD/PPy/GC电极的电化学行为进行分析,结果表明,以PPy为载体可以很好地固定GOD并保持其生物活性。在0.1mol/L磷酸盐缓冲溶液中,无任何电子媒介体存在时,GOD/PPy/GC电极显示了很好的电催化性能。     

CeO2修饰的透明TiO2纳米管电极的电致变色器件

采用电化学沉积法在阳极氧化制备的TiO2纳米管阵列管壁上沉积一层CeO2纳米颗粒,再将CeO2修饰的透明TiO2纳米管阵列薄膜对电极与聚三甲基噻吩变色电极组装成透过型电致变色器件.实验结果表明:CeO2修饰的TiO2纳米管阵列薄膜仍保持良好的光透过性,其电荷存储能力比纯TiO2纳米管电极提高了30%.经CeO2修饰的TiO2纳米管改善了器件的性能,与对电极为单一TiO2纳米管阵列的器件相比,其对比度仍保持在38%左右,其褪色时间由1.3 s缩短为0.8 s.电致变色器件快速响应得益于纳米管与纳米颗粒组成的复合结构的高比表面积和快速的电荷传输过程.     

Comparative study of conductometric glucose biosensor based on gold and on magnetic nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to show the feasibility and the performances of nanoparticle biosensing. A glucose conductometric biosensor was developed using two types of nanoparticles (gold and magnetic), glucose oxidase (GOD) being adsorbed on PAH (poly(allylamine hydrochloride)) modified nanoparticles, deposited on a planar interdigitated electrode (IDEs). The best sensitivities for glucose detection were obtained with magnetic nanoparticles (70 μM/mM and 3 μM of detection limit) compared to 45 μM/mM and 9 μM with gold nanoparticles and 30 μM/mM and 50 μM with GOD directly cross-linked on IDEs. When stored in phosphate buffer (20 mM, pH 7.3) at 4 °C, the biosensor showed good stability for more than 12 days.