Graphene and graphene like 2D graphitic carbon nitride: Electrochemical detection of food colorants and toxic substances in environment

Excessive consumption of substances such as food colorants, exposure to doses of metal ions, antibiotic residues and pesticides residues above maximum tolerance limit have a detrimental effect on human health. Hence in detecting these harmful substances, the development of sensitive, selective and convenient analytical tools is an essential step. Graphene and graphene like 2D graphitic carbon nitride have shown great promise in the development of electrochemical sensors for determining the levels of these substances in different samples. In this paper, graphene and graphene like 2D graphitic carbon nitride applications on the determination of various food colorants in foods and drinks such as azo dyes (tartrazine, allura red, amaranth, carmine and sunset yellow); metal ions contaminants, antibiotic and pesticide residues in the environment are reviewed.     

Ultra-sensitive analysis based on electrochemistry,electrokinetic and magnetic preconcentration of analytes

Some of the challenges with detection of ultra-low concentrations of analytes are to achieve sufficient sensitivity of the measurement and to direct the analyte species to the sensor (electrode) surface. This review describes various strategies that are available to address these challenges: method of electrocatalytic amplification, electrochemical measurements performed in combination with electrokinetic preconcentration of analytes, ultra-sensitive analysis utilizing increased surface area and also the manipulation by the magnetic force.     

Electrochemical sensor based on super-magnetic metal–organic framework@molecularly imprinted polymer for Sarcosine detection in urine

Accurate determination of Sarcosine (SAR) in urine with high sensitivity and selectivity is important, because it was recently recommended as a prospective biomarker for prostate cancer (PCa) and significant for the early identification of PCa. In this study, an electrochemical sensor based on Fe₃O₄ incorporated metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) @molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was constructed for SAR detection. Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles embedded zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was used as the support of MIP. MIP provides specific recognition sites for template molecules SAR and MOFs increase the rate of mass transfer and adsorption capacity due to the porous structure. The synthesized super-magnetic Fe₃O₄@ZIF-8@MIP was self-assembled onto an Au electrode in magnetic field and used as the sensing unit of electrochemical sensor. Cyclic voltammetry was used to monitor the electrochemical behavior, and the binding of SAR resulted in a reduction in the measured current. The results revealed a wide linear range from 1 to 100 pM towards trace SAR determination, with extremely low limit of detection down to 0.4 pM. In conclusion, the Fe₃O₄@ZIF-8@MIP based sensor provides a selective, sensitive, and convenient method for SAR diagnosis and other cancer marker detection.     

Biomolecular Release Stimulated by Electrochemical Signals at a Very Small Potential Applied

DNA release electrochemically stimulated by applying ?10 mV on the modified electrode was studied. The release process was based on the local (interfacial) pH change produced upon H₂O₂ reduction electrocatalyzed by the immobilized microperoxidase‐11. SiO₂ nanoparticles attached to the electrode surface and functionalized with trigonelline and boronic acid species changed their electrical charge from positive to negative upon the interfacial pH change, thus allowing electrostatic adsorption of negatively charged DNA on the positive interface and then its repulsion/release from the negative interface. The loaded/released DNA molecules were labeled with a fluorescent dye to allow easy detection of the released DNA molecules. The important feature of the developed system is the controlled DNA release upon applying very small electrical potential on the modified electrode.     

锂离子电池TiO2纳米管负极材料

In recent years, TiO₂ has been widely investigated as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries because of its low volume change during the charge/discharge process, environmental benignity, and high safety. However, it suffers from poor electron transport, slow ion diffusion, and low theoretical capacity (335 mAh·g^-1), which limit its practical application. In this paper, we review the development history and latest progress of TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs) as anode materials. Three typical synthesis methods of TNTs, namely, hydrothermal method, anodic oxidation, and template method, are analyzed in detail. We explain the formation mechanism, compare the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and identify the factors influencing the formation of TNTs. We also carefully analyze the morphology and crystallography of TNTs and describe how they influence the electrochemical performance. It is pointed out that c-axis oriented, arrayed, unsealed TNTs with a wall thickness less than 5 nm show better electrochemical performance. Various approaches for improving the electrochemical performance of TNTs are summarized, including preparation of threedimensional (3D) structured electrodes, doping, coating, and synthesis of composites. Among these approaches, compositing with materials that have high capacity and high conductivity has proven to be effective, convenient, and controllable. The achievements and the problems associated with each approach are summarized, and the possible research directions and prospects of TNTs as anode materials for Li-ion batteries in the future are discussed.     

基于NiCo2O4纳米片电极的非对称混合电容器

The looming global energy crisis and ever-increasing energy demands have catalyzed the development of renewable energy storage systems. In this regard, supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted widespread attention because of their advantageous attributes such as high power density, excellent cycle stability, and environmental friendliness. However, SCs exhibit low energy density and it is important to optimize electrode materials to improve the overall performance of these devices. Among the various electrode materials available, spinel nickel cobaltate (NiCo₂O₄) is particularly interesting because of its excellent theoretical capacitance. Based on the understanding that the performances of the electrode materials strongly depend on their morphologies and structures, in this study, we successfully synthesized NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets on Ni foam via a simple hydrothermal route followed by calcination. The structures and morphologies of the as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and the results showed that they were uniformly distributed on the Ni foam support. The surface chemical states of the elements in the samples were identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as-synthesized NiCo₂O₄ products were then tested as cathode materials for supercapacitors in a traditional three-electrode system. The electrochemical performances of the NiCo₂O₄ electrode materials were studied and the area capacitance was found to be 1.26 C·cm^-2 at a current density of 1 mA·cm^-2. Furthermore, outstanding cycling stability with 97.6% retention of the initial discharge capacitance after 10000 cycles and excellent rate performance (67.5% capacitance retention with the current density from 1 to 14 mA·cm^-2) were achieved. It was found that the Ni foam supporting the NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets increased the conductivity of the electrode materials. However, it is worth noting that the contribution of nickel foam to the areal capacitance of the electrode materials was almost zero during the charge and discharge processes. To further investigate the practical application of the as-synthesized NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets-based electrode, a device was assembled with the as-prepared samples as the positive electrode and active carbon (AC) as the negative electrode. The assembled supercapacitor showed energy densities of 0.14 and 0.09 Wh·cm^-3 at 1.56 and 4.5 W·cm^-3, respectively. Furthermore, it was able to maintain 95% of its initial specific capacitance after 10000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of the NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets could be ascribed to their unique spatial structure composed of interconnected ultrathin nanosheets, which facilitated electron transportation and ion penetration, suggesting their potential applications as electrode materials for high performance supercapacitors. The present synthetic route can be extended to other ternary transition metal oxides/sulfides for future energy storage devices and systems.     

Electrochemical sensors for environmental gas analysis

The application of electrochemical sensors for measurement of concentration of pollutant gases in air in the part-per-billion (10⁹) range is reviewed. Performance-limiting factors, particularly the effects of extremes and of relatively rapid changes in ambient temperature and humidity, are noted. Variations in composition of the electrolyte in the meniscus at the electrode–gas interface and instability of the solid–liquid–gas contact line, causing important variations in current due to background electrode reactions, are deduced and suggested as the reason for the performance limitations. Suggestions are made for mitigation through instrument design.     

CO_2熔盐电化学转化碳材料的电化学特性

基于对熔融碳酸盐体系中电化学还原CO_2所得碳材料(electrolytic-carbon,EC)的形貌、结构、组成的认识,以粉末微电极循环伏安法测试为基础,在稀溶液中对EC的本征电化学行为进行了考察,以揭示这类碳材料的界面电化学特性。实验发现,在典型条件(450°C、4.5 V槽压)下制备的电解碳(450°C-4.5 V-EC)的伏安行为有别于多壁碳纳米管、石墨烯、石墨、乙炔黑等常见碳材料,在负电位区表现出显著的"双电层充放电响应迟滞"现象。通过考察溶液pH值、电位扫描速率、阴阳离子种类对这一现象的影响,发现pH和电解液组成都不影响这一现象的出现;电解液浓度提高和低扫描速率时滞后现象减弱,表明迟滞充放电是这类碳材料的本征特性,与其表面含氧官能团及其对阳离子的特性吸附密切相关。实验进一步研究了不同电解条件下制备的EC所展现的电化学特性吸附及电容性质,发现随着熔盐温度的升高,EC对电解液中阳离子的特性吸附能力降低,而相同温度不同槽压下制备的EC特性吸附能力相近,表现出相似的电容特性,这与EC的含氧量和比表面积有关。电解碳所展现的独特电容特性对其潜在的应用或可提供有价值的线索和指导。     

Electrochemical Sensor Based on Thioether Oligomer Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐modified Gold Electrode for Bisphenol A Detection

Presently, bisphenol A (BPA) has been added to the list of substances of very high concern as endocrine disruptors. According to the literature, exposure to bisphenol A even at low doses may result in adverse health effects. In this study, electrochemical sensor of Bisphenol A based on thioether DDT‐Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) oligomer has been developed. The thioether oligomer, which is capable of recognizing BPA, was prepared and used for gold electrode modification. The characterization of the modified gold electrode and the synthesized thioether oligomer were carried out by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) and Size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Obtained results indicate that the modified electrode shows good electrochemical activity, good sensitivity and reproducibility for BPA detection. It exhibited a good linear relationship ranging from 1 to 20 pg/mL, and the detection limit was found to be 1.9 pg/mL at S/N=3. Several interfering species such as hydroquinone, phenol and resorcinol were used and their behaviors on the modified gold electrode were investigated.