Bi2S3-sensitized TiO2 nanorods by bottom-up approach for photoelectrochemical solar cell

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3)-sensitized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorods have been successfully synthesized by a simple and cost-effective chemical deposition...     

Growth and photoelectrochemical properties of ordered CuInS2 nanorod arrays

CuInS(2) nanorod array structures are synthesized via a template-free and non-vacuum route for the first time. The obtained CuInS(2) thin films show promising conversion efficiency in a two-electrode photoelectrochemical cell.     

Highly sensitive photoelectrochemical immunosensor based on anatase/rutile TiO2 and Bi2S3 for the zero-biased detection of PSA

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A novel label-free photoelectrochemical immunosensor was developed for the determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) based on fluorine-doped tin...     

Development of a non-competitive immunoassay for cortisol and its application to the analysis of saliva

A general method of performing non-competitive immunoassays for a low-molecular-mass analyte was developed and applied to cortisol determination in saliva samples. The method is based on the use of a “blocking reagent”, which is able to bind to antibody sites not occupied by the analyte, and in a stronger way than the analyte itself. When an enzyme-labelled analyte is added it substitutes the analyte in the antibody complex, but not the blocking reagent. The measured signal is linearly correlated to the concentration of the complex and, consequently, to the analyte concentration. The 3σ limit of detection (LOD, 0.2 nmol l⁻¹) obtained by the above method was 10 times lower than that obtained by the corresponding ELISA. As non-competitive immunoassays reported for small molecules up to now have been no more than just approaches, the suitability of the proposed assay for cortisol quantification in a real matrix was investigated. Human saliva was chosen as a matrix because of the need for very sensitive techniques to determine salivary cortisol content. The matrix effect was offset by performing the calibration experiments in acidic conditions (pH=5.6) and adding 0.1% of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the buffer. In these conditions, the LOD was 1.4 nmol l⁻¹, which was adequate to measure normal levels of cortisol. Spiked samples were analysed and gave recoveries ranging from about 80 to 120%. Therefore, five subject samples, collected over 18 h showed salivary cortisol concentrations compatible with the circadian variation of reported normal values.     

Chemluminescence immunoassay for estriol in saliva

Estriol is determined in whole saliva of pregnant women by a direct solid-phase chemiluminescence immunoassay. The assay uses a monclonal antibody raised against estriol-6-crboxymethyloxime/bovine serum albumin and the homologous chemiluminescent marker conjugate estriol- 6-carboxymethyloxime/aminopentylethylsiolominol (E3/APEI). The anti-estriol antibody is bound to the wells of a microtitration plate via a second antibody directed against the monoclonal antibody; 50 μl of saliva and 12.5 pg of E3/APEI per well are used. The incubation time is 10 min at room temperature. The calibration graph covers 5–750 pg of estriol and the detection limit is 4.5 pg (0.31 nmol l^-1. Mean recovery of added estriol is 98%. Within-assay coefficient of variation is 11.8–5% for 0.21–6.5 nmol l^-1 E3, and the between-assay value is 15.7–6.9% for 0.27-3.5 nmol l^-1 E3. The correlation of E3 concentration in time-matched samples of saliva and sera from pregnant women was good (r = 0.934). Total assay time including calculation of results is 3 h for 40 saliva samples.     

Effect of TiO2 nanostructure morphology on the performance of a photoelectrochemical cell of ITO/TiO2/electrolyte/platinum

The morphology of photovoltaic material is able to influence of the performance of photoelectrochemical cell. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) surfactant were used to modify the morphology nanostructure of TiO₂ films by a simple technique, namely, liquid phase deposition during their growth process. It was found that the untreated surfactant TiO₂ film produces the morphology with the mixture nanosphere and nanoflower. The film treated with PVP, CTAB, and HMT produce the nanostructure shape of nanoflower, nanowire, and nanorod, respectively. These TiO₂ samples were utilized as photovoltaic materials in a photoelectrochemical cell of ITO/TiO₂/electrolyte/platinum. It was found that the photovoltaic parameters such as short-circuit current density (J _sc), open-circuit voltage (V _oc) and fill factor are influenced by the morphology in terms of shape and particle size of the TiO₂ nanostructure. The cell utilizing the TiO₂ nanowire treated with PVP possesses the highest J _sc and V _oc of 0.100 mAcm^?2 and 0.44 V. The length of the TiO₂ nanowire is 6?±?2 nm, while the cell with the untreated surfactant TiO₂ sample demonstrates the lowest performance. It was also found that the J _sc and V _oc increase with the decrease in the length of the TiO₂ nanostructures. The smallest length of TiO₂ possesses the best interfacial contact at TiO₂/electrolyte containing iodide/triiodide redox couple. Thus, the redox reaction is optimized at this interface.     

Preparation and photoelectrochemical performance of PbSe/BaTiO3/TiO2 composite film

By dipping-lifting in sol–gel solution and reducing process, the TiO₂ composite film on the glass plate was first prepared. Then, the PbSe/BaTiO₃/TiO₂ composite film was fabricated by interface reaction with BaTiO₃ and PbSe on the surface of TiO₂ composite film. The characterization results show that the uniform porous TiO₂ film is made up of the anatase crystal, and the PbSe/BaTiO₃/TiO₂ composite film is constructed by doping or depositing BaTiO₃ and PbSe nanoparticles on the surface of TiO₂ film. The photoelectrochemical measurement results indicate that the PbSe/BaTiO₃/TiO₂ composite film has an interesting photoelectrochemical conversion property.     

二氧化钛空心微球的合成及其光电化学性能

采用水热法合成了TiO2空心微球,并通过XRD、SEM、TEM对其结构和形貌进行了分析.将TiO2空心微球作为光阳极制作成染料敏化太阳电池,并进行光电化学性能测试.结果表明,电流-电压曲线测试表明以TiO2空心微球为光阳极的电池光电转换效率远高于以TiO2纳米晶为光阳极的电池;紫外-可见吸收光谱及电化学阻抗谱(EIS)显示TiO2空心微球的光吸收能力增强,电池的电荷转移阻抗更低,表明其空心的球体结构是其光电性能提高的主要原因.     

Liquid phase deposition of hemoglobin/SDS/TiO2 hybrid film preserving photoelectrochemical activity

This work demonstrates that liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique provides a novel approach to the immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) in TiO(2) film for studying the direct electron transfer of Hb. Using the LPD process, a hybrid film composed of Hb, TiO(2) and sodium dodecylsulfonate (SDS) is successfully prepared on the electrode surface. The surface morphology of as-deposited Hb/SDS/TiO(2) film shows a flower-like structure. The cyclic voltammetric measurement indicates that the LPD hybrid film facilitates the electron transfer of Hb, which yields a pair of redox peaks prior to the characteristic voltammetric peaks of TiO(2). Due to the electrocatalytic activity of Hb towards H(2)O(2), the Hb/SDS/TiO(2) hybrid LPD film can be utilized as an H(2)O(2) sensor, showing a sensitive response linearly proportional to the concentration of H(2)O(2) in the range of 5.0×10(-7)-4.0×10(-5) mol/L. At the same time, the Hb/SDS/TiO(2) hybrid film preserves the photoelectrochemical activity of TiO(2). The photovoltaic effect on the electrochemical behavior of Hb/SDS/TiO(2) film is observed after long-time UV irradiation on the film, which could improve the calibration sensitivity for H(2)O(2).     

Fabrication of TiO2/Ti nanotube electrode and the photoelectrochemical behaviors in NaCl solutions

Titanium oxide nanotube electrodes were successfully prepared by anodic oxidation on pure Ti sheets in 0.5 wt.% NH₄F + 1 wt.% (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 90 wt.% glycerol mixed solutions. Nanotubes with diameter 40–60 nm and length 7.4 μm were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope. The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical characteristics of TiO₂ nanotube electrode were investigated using linear polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The open-circuit potential dropped markedly under irradiation and with the increase of Cl⁻ concentrations. A saturated photocurrent of approximately 1.3 mA cm⁻² was observed under 10-W low-mercury lamp irradiation in 0.1 M NaCl solution, which was much higher than film electrode. Meanwhile, the highest photocurrent in NaCl solution implied that the photogenerated holes preferred to combine with Cl⁻. Thus, a significant synergetic effect on active chlorine production was observed in photoelectrocatalytic processes. Furthermore, the generation efficiency for active chlorine was about two times that using TiO₂/Ti film electrode by sol–gel method. Finally, the effects of initial pH and Cl⁻ concentration were also discussed.     

Highly-ordered dye-sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays film used for improving photoelectrochemical electrodes

Thin titanium oxide nanotube arrays (TNAs) films were synthesized by anodization of titanium foil in an aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide solution using a platinum foil counter electrode.TNAs up to 6.8 μm in length,120 nm in inner pore diameter,and 20 nm in wall thickness were obtained by 40 V potentials anodization for 24 h.Their microstructures and surface morphologies were characterized by XRD,TEM,SAED and UV-vis spectroscopy.The photoelectrochemical properties of as-prepared unsensitized and dye-sensitized TNAs electrodes were examined under simulated solar light (AM 1.5,100 mW/cm2) illumination.The results showed that the photocurrent of the dye-sensitized TNAs electrodes reached 6.9 mA/cm2,which was 6 times more than that of the dye-sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) electrodes.It implied that the electron transport process and the charge recombination suppression within TNAs electrodes were much more favorable in comparison with that in the TNPs electrodes.Electrodes applying such kind of titania nanotubes will have a potential to further enhance the efficiencies of TNAs-based dye-sensitized solar cells.     

An inter-laboratory comparison for determination of cortisol in saliva

An inter-laboratory comparison study for cortisol in saliva is reported in the present study. Nine laboratories representing four different methods participated in the study. Each laboratory measured five blind samples prepared from natural saliva spiked with a pure certified reference material in the range 0–70 nmol/L. The average observed values were established as means of eight laboratories, because one laboratory was excluded as an outlier. The natural content of cortisol in the pooled saliva was 6.8 nmol/L. The recovery of the certified reference material was 83%–131% (164% for the outlying laboratory). For five laboratories the 95%-confidence intervals of the recoveries did not cover 100%. The standard deviations for a concentration of 10 nmol/L were estimated for each laboratory. They were 0.64–1.67 nmol/L (6.26 nmol/L for the outlying laboratory). The present study emphasizes the need for an external proficiency-testing scheme and a certified reference material for cortisol in saliva. Received: 8 May 2002 Accepted: 3 September 2002     

N3-sensitized TiO2 films: in situ proton exchange toward open-circuit photovoltage enhancement

Protons of N3, cis-bis(thiocyanato)bis(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid)ruthenium(II), were in situ exchanged on N3-loaded TiO2 films with alkali-metal, tetrabutylammonium, and guanidinium cations. This simple strategy improved the open-circuit photovoltage (V(oc)) significantly, resulting in enhancement of the power conversion efficiency by 10-25%. Electrochemical impedance spectra revealed that the in situ proton exchange of the N3-loaded film suppressed charge recombination between injected electrons and I(3-) ions in the electrolyte, which, together with the negative shift of the conduction band edge for TiO2, may account for the remarkably increased V(oc) upon proton exchange of N3.     

Stabilization of phospholipid polymer surface with three-dimensional nanometer-scaled structure for highly sensitive immunoassay

A phospholipid polymer platform and an antibody as a bioaffinity ligand were used to construct a biointerface for a highly sensitive immunoassay. The platform had a nanometer-scaled particle deposition surface and it was constructed with poly[2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate (BMA)-co-p-nitrophenyloxycarbonyl poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (MEONP)] (PMBN) by an electrospray deposition (ESD) method. The PMBN surface could immobilize specific antibodies through covalent chemical bonding by the reaction between MEONP units and amino groups in the antibody. In addition, the PMBN could prevent nonspecific protein adsorption from an analyte. However, the nanometer-scaled structure of the PMBN lost its shape after immersion in an aqueous medium. To stabilize the nanometer-scaled structure in an aqueous medium, the PMBN was cross-linked with 1,4-butylenediamine and then heat-treated. These treatments effectively improved the stability of the nanometer-scaled structure, that is, the structure had a high porosity even after immersing in an aqueous medium. The stabilization affected the specific signal in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), that is, the specific signal in ELISA was enhanced.     

Effect of supporting electrolyte concentration on one-step electrodeposited CuInS2 films for ZnS/CuInS2 solar cell applications

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A one-step electrodeposition process was used to obtain CuInS2 (CIS) films on a molybdenum substrate by varying the supporting electrolyte (lithium...     

TiO_2-BiVO_4异质结复合材料的制备及其在光电化学生物传感器中的应用

以异丙醇钛为钛源,采用溶胶-凝胶法(Sol-Gel)制备二氧化钛(TiO_2)微球,然后以水热法制备出TiO_2微球与钒酸铋(BiVO_4)的异质结复合纳米材料,通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对复合纳米材料进行表征.并利用时间-电流(I-T)曲线研究了材料的光电性能.由于BiVO_4的禁带间隙较窄,从而提高了所得复合材料在可见光区的光电性能.将所制备的TiO_2-BiVO_4异质结作为支架负载葡萄糖氧化酶(GOx),进而制备出光电化学葡萄糖传感器,该传感器表现出良好的灵敏度,其线性范围为0.05~8mmol/L,检测限为0.02 mmol/L.     

NiS2/NiFe LDH/g-C3N4 ternary heterostructure-based label-free photoelectrochemical aptasensing for highly sensitive determination of enrofloxacin

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor based on photoactive species with remarkable and stable PEC response is a rising analytical method to implement highly efficient and sensitive detection of residual antibiotics in the field of food. Herein, NiS₂/NiFe-layered double/graphitic carbon nitride (NiS₂/NiFe LDH/g-C₃N₄) ternary heterostructure designed by the surface vulcanization of flower-like NiFe LDH/g-C₃N₄ was used for developing a label-free PEC aptasensing platform to detect enrofloxacin (ENR). The introduction of NiS₂ with narrow bandgap can strengthen the light harvesting of solar energy, producing large amounts of photoinduced carriers. NiS₂ as the electrons conduction bridge further accelerates the transmission efficiency of electrons in contrast to binary heterojunction, endowing ternary heterostructure with superior photocurrent signal. A label-free PEC aptasensor detected ENR with an amplified detection signal because of the oxidation of ENR molecules by photoinduced holes. This PEC aptasensing platform of ENR manifested a wide detection range from 3.6 × 10^?7 to 30 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 1.2 × 10^?7 ng/mL as well as can provide a sensitive and stable analysis with feasible application to monitor milk and honey samples. This design can open the utilization of ternary heterostructure by surface vulcanization to improve the sensitivity of PEC aptasensing platform for monitoring environmental pollutants.     

Synthesis of F-doped flower-like TiO2 nanostructures with high photoelectrochemical activity

We report on a novel and facile approach for the direct growth of F-doped flower-like TiO(2) nanostructures on the surface of Ti in HF solutions under low-temperature hydrothermal conditions. The influence of the experimental parameters such as temperature, reaction duration, and the HF concentration on the morphology and photoelectrocatalytic activity of the formed F-doped flower-like TiO(2) nanostructures was systematically studied. The presence of HF and the reaction time play an important role in the formation of the F-doped flower-like TiO(2) nanostructures. The synthesized novel F-doped TiO(2) flower-like nanomaterials possess good crystallinity and exhibit high photoelectrochemical activity for water-splitting and photodegradation of organic pollutants compared with P-25, which is currently considered to be one of the best commercial TiO(2) photocatalysts. The approach described in this study provides a simple and novel method to synthesize F-doped TiO(2) nanostructured materials that are ready for practical applications such as the photodegradation of wastewater.     

Immunogold labeling-induced synergy effect for amplified photoelectrochemical immunoassay of prostate-specific antigen

A new photoelectrochemical immunoassay for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was successfully developed with high sensitivity via immunogold labeling.