Large-scale self-assembly of hydrophilic gold nanoparticles at oil/water interface and their electro-oxidation for nitric oxide in solution

Sensitive electrochemical detection of nitric oxide based on AuPt and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites

Since nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in many biological processes, its precise detection is essential toward an understanding of its specific functions. Here we report on a facile and environmentally compatible strategy for the construction of an electrochemical sensor based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and AuPt bimetallic nanoparticles. The prepared nanocomposites were further employed for the electroanalysis of NO using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and amperometric methods. The dependence of AuPt molar ratios on the electrochemical performance was investigated. Through the combination of the advantages of the high conductivity from rGO and highly electrocatalytic activity from AuPt bimetallic nanoparticles, the AuPt-rGO based NO sensor exhibited a high sensitivity of 7.35 μA μM(-1) and a low detection limit of 2.88 nM. Additionally, negligible interference from common ions or organic molecules was observed, and the AuPt-rGO modified electrode demonstrated excellent stability. Moreover, this optimized electrochemical sensor was practicable for efficiently monitoring the NO released from rat cardiac cells, which were stimulated by l-arginine (l-arg), showing that stressed cells generated over 10 times more NO than normal cells. The novel sensor developed in this study may have significant medical diagnostic applications for the prevention and monitoring of disease.

Fabrication of a Flexible and Stretchable Nanostructured Gold Electrode Using a Facile Ultraviolet-Irradiation Approach for the Detection of Nitric Oxide Released from Cells

We developed a simple and environmentally friendly ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation-assisted technique to fabricate a stretchable, nanostructured gold film as a flexible electrode for the detection of NO release. The flexible gold film endows the electrode with desirable electrochemical stability against mechanical deformation, including bending to different curvatures and bearing repeated bending circumstances (200 times). The flexible nanostructured gold electrodes can catalyze NO oxidation at 0.85 V (as opposed to Ag/AgCl) and detect NO within a wide linearity in the range of 10 nM to 1.295 μM. Its excellent NO-sensing ability and its stretchability together with its biocompatibility allows the electrode to electrochemically monitor NO release from mechanically sensitive HUVECs in both their unstretched and stretched states. This result paves the way for an effective and easily accessible platform for designing stretchable and flexible electrodes and opens more opportunities for sensing chemical-signal molecules released from cells or other biological samples during mechanical stimulation.

Self-assembled AuNPs on sulphur-doped graphene: a dual and highly efficient electrochemical sensor for nitrite (NO2−) and nitric oxide (NO)

Gold nanoparticles self-assembled over sulphur-doped graphene as a reusable electrocatalyst for selective and sensitive quantification of NO₂⁻ and NO.

Stretchable Electrochemical Sensor for Real-Time Monitoring of Cells and Tissues

Stretchable electrochemical sensors are conceivably a powerful technique that provides important chemical information to unravel elastic and curvilinear living body. However, no breakthrough was made in stretchable electrochemical device for biological detection. Herein, we synthesized Au nanotubes (NTs) with large aspect ratio to construct an effective stretchable electrochemical sensor. Interlacing network of Au NTs endows the sensor with desirable stability against mechanical deformation, and Au nanostructure provides excellent electrochemical performance and biocompatibility. This allows for the first time, real-time electrochemical monitoring of mechanically sensitive cells on the sensor both in their stretching-free and stretching states as well as sensing of the inner lining of blood vessels. The results demonstrate the great potential of this sensor in electrochemical detection of living body, opening a new window for stretchable electrochemical sensor in biological exploration.

Polyelectrolyte stabilized bi-metallic Au/Ag nanoclusters modified electrode for nitric oxide detection

Bi-metallic Au/Ag NCs were prepared, synergistic electrooxidation of NO was observed at Au/Ag NCs modified electrode and electrochemical sensing response time was found to be 1 s.

Au nanoparticle monolayers: preparation, structural conversion and their surface-enhanced Raman scattering effects

An environment-friendly method is developed to fabricate close-packed Au nanoparticle (AuNP) monolayers with sub-10 nm interparticle spacing simply by covering n-butanol on the surface of an Au aqueous colloid. The close-packed nanostructure can further transform into two-dimensional (2D) aggregates with different aggregation degrees upon aging for several days. This structural evolution process was disclosed by transition electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy and its influence on the ensemble optical properties was further demonstrated by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). It was revealed that creating sub-10 nm interparticle spacing and particle dimers are highly desirable for engendering strong SERS activity under a 632.8 nm excitation. Further aging the film leads to the formation of larger aggregates, which moves the surface plasmon resonance of the aggregates gradually 'off-resonance' from the 632.8 nm excitation line and costs some numbers of sub-10 nm interparticle spacings. The two parameters together decrease the SERS activity of the close-packed AuNP monolayers. The present strategy thus provides an easy way to finely tune the SERS properties of thin nanoparticle films and other ensemble properties, which can easily be realized by creating sub-10 interparticle spacing, controlling the particle aggregation degree and by adopting suitable particle sizes and shapes.

Review of recent advances in analytical techniques for the determination of neurotransmitters

Methods and advances for monitoring neurotransmitters in vivo or for tissue analysis of neurotransmitters over the last five years are reviewed. The review is organized primarily by neurotransmitter type. Transmitter and related compounds may be monitored by either in vivo sampling coupled to analytical methods or implanted sensors. Sampling is primarily performed using microdialysis, but low-flow push-pull perfusion may offer advantages of spatial resolution while minimizing the tissue disruption associated with higher flow rates. Analytical techniques coupled to these sampling methods include liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, enzyme assays, sensors, and mass spectrometry. Methods for the detection of amino acid, monoamine, neuropeptide, acetylcholine, nucleoside, and soluble gas neurotransmitters have been developed and improved upon. Advances in the speed and sensitivity of these methods have enabled improvements in temporal resolution and increased the number of compounds detectable. Similar advances have enabled improved detection at tissue samples, with a substantial emphasis on single cell and other small samples. Sensors provide excellent temporal and spatial resolution for in vivo monitoring. Advances in application to catecholamines, indoleamines, and amino acids have been prominent. Improvements in stability, sensitivity, and selectivity of the sensors have been of paramount interest.

Rapid fabrication of large-area nanoparticle monolayer films via water-induced interfacial assembly

Close-packed nanoparticle monolayer films have been assembled at the water/toluene interface, and they can be transferred onto various hydrophilic solid substrates. The method involves adding alcohol and then toluene (when the dispersant is itself alcohol, only toluene was added) into a hydrophilic nanoparticle dispersion, and then a large quantity of distilled water was rapidly poured into the mixed system. Simultaneously, nanoparticles in the dispersion were extracted to the water/toluene interface, forming a thin film with a metallic sheen. The close-packed structures of these thin films were verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations. This method can work well for those hydrophilic nanoparticles without strongly bonded stabilizers, such as citrate-stabilized Au nanoparticles, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized Pt or Ag nanoparticles, and SiO(2) microspheres. Large-area nanoparticle monolayer films (e.g., more than 200 cm(2)) could be prepared in less than 10 s. Due to its inherent simplicity and speed, the method should be of significance for the nanofilm industry.