Amperometric determination of salivary thiocyanate using electrochemically fabricated poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/MXene hybrid film

From traditional to modern: Nanotechnology-driven innovation in mycotoxin sensing for Chinese herbal medicines

Mycotoxin contamination in Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) is a pressing concern that jeopardizes their quality and safety, despite their widespread therapeutic use. Conventional detection methods are often limited by complexity, cost, and sensitivity, particularly in resource-limited settings. This gap in effective and efficient mycotoxin detection necessitates a comprehensive review that explores innovative solutions to enhance the safety and efficacy of CHMs. Advancements in nanomaterials and related advanced sensing techniques have emerged as a beacon of hope. Therefore, this review aims to fill the knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in mycotoxin detection in CHMs, spotlighting the transformative role of nanomaterials and advanced sensing techniques. This review stands out for its in-depth exploration of functional nanomaterials across dimensions and their innovative applications in mycotoxin detection. Its innovation stems from a holistic approach that not only surveys current technologies but also charts a forward-looking path, emphasizing novel nanomaterial development, refined pretreatment, and advanced biosensing for on-site detection. It delves into the integration of nanomaterials with advanced sensing technologies, discussing the advantages and limitations of these approaches. A significant innovation of this review lies in the nuanced integration of nanomaterials with machine learning and artificial intelligence, revealing untapped potential for accuracy enhancement. Through this synthesis of knowledge, we hope to inspire further research and development in this critical area, ensuring the continued safe use of CHMs in traditional medicine practices.

Defect-rich Co,N-doped Ti3C2Tx/C/poly (3,4-ethylenedioxy thiophene) molecularly imprinted sensor for ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of gatifloxacin

The molecular imprinting electrochemical sensors (MIECS) currently face issues such as low sensitivity and stability to be improved. This study innovatively combines ZIF-67/Ti3C2Tx, treated at high temperature, with molecular imprinting technology to construct a MIECS with excellent stability and high sensitivity. First, size-controllable ZIF-67 was grown in situ on Ti3C2Tx, and after high-temperature treatment, Co,N-Ti3C2Tx/C was obtained. This was combined with proton-conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) to build the MIECS (Co,N-Ti3C2Tx/C/PEDOT/MIP/GCE). A series of structural characterization and electrochemical tests revealed that the synergistic effect of the abundant defect structures and the excellent proton conductivity of PEDOT significantly enhanced the electrochemical redox activity. The modified electrode demonstrated outstanding electrochemical performance, including an ultra-high electrochemical active surface area and selective recognition of gatifloxacin (GAT) through the imprinted cavities. Further investigation of the sensor's electrochemical detection performance for GAT showed that the fabricated sensor has high sensitivity, good stability, and excellent selectivity. Experimental results indicated that the sensor has a wide linear response range (0.005-50 μM), a low detection limit (2 nM), and test RSD values are all less than 5 % in honey, milk and lake water, and reliable recoveries were achieved in comparison with standard chromatographic methods. Highlight its potential for practical antibiotic monitoring applications.

Magnetically recoverable catalysts for efficient multicomponent synthesis of organosulfur compounds

This manuscript introduces a groundbreaking study on the development and application of magnetically recoverable catalysts for the efficient multicomponent synthesis of organosulfur compounds. Capitalizing on the unique advantages of magnetic recovery, these catalysts streamline the synthesis process, offering an innovative solution that marries efficiency with environmental sustainability. By facilitating the multicomponent reaction of key precursors in the presence of sulfur sources, the catalysts enable the straightforward synthesis of various valuable organosulfur compounds, crucial in numerous pharmaceutical, agricultural, and material science applications. Key findings demonstrate a significant enhancement in reaction yields and selectivity and the remarkable ease with which the catalysts can be recovered and reused, thereby reducing both waste and operational costs. Magnetic catalysts, often based on magnetic iron nanoparticles, facilitate rapid and efficient reactions under mild conditions, offering superior atom economy, reduced solvent use, and the potential for scalable processes. Additionally, magnetically separating the catalysts from the reaction mixture enables multiple recycling cycles, reducing waste and operational costs. The review also discusses the mechanistic insights, challenges, and recent advancements in this field alongside future directions for developing more robust and versatile magnetic catalytic systems. This research embodies a significant step forward in the field of catalysis, highlighting the potential of magnetically recoverable catalysts to revolutionize the synthesis of complex molecules. Future perspectives discussed in the manuscript focus on expanding the scope of these catalysts to broader applications, optimizing catalyst design for enhanced performance, and further aligning chemical synthesis processes with the principles of green chemistry. This review covers the literature from 2010 to the end of 2024, and it encompasses the different one-pot protocols for synthesizing various heterocyclic organosulfur compounds based on magnetically recoverable catalysts.

MXene/PEDOT: PSS composite-modified electrode for electrochemical sensing of bilirubin by molecularly imprinted ortho-phenylenediamine

For the first time, a Ti3C2Tx-MXene and poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) composite-modified electrode has been developed for electrochemical detection of the bilirubin (BR) by molecularly imprinted ortho-phenylenediamine (o-PD). BR is a biomarker for liver-related diseases. High levels of BR imply liver dysfunction; hence, its exact and rapid measurement is indispensable to its immediate diagnosis and treatment. The synergistic effects of MXene and PEDOT: PSS not only enhanced the electrochemical conductivity and provided a large electroactive surface area for better MIP polymerization but also improved the sensitivity, stability, and electro-catalytic activity of the developed electrode. This is the first study to combine MXene/PEDOT: PSS and molecularly imprinted orthophenylenediamine for BR sensing, which individually have demonstrated potential, but whose combined effects have never been explored in the context of BR detection. The successful synthesis and deposition of composite is confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) along with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical properties and surface morphology of the prepared electrode at every modification step were characterized by electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and FESEM respectively. The MXene/PEDOT: PSS composite as an electrode modifier exhibited sensing of BR in the clinical relevant range of BR in human serum 0.1-20 mg/dL with a detection limit of 0.002 mg/dL. Additionally, the prepared electrode has excellent reproducibility, stability, selectivity, and repeatability and also showed acceptable results for the sensing of BR in human serum sample.

Based on magnetically recoverable catalysts: a green strategy to sulfonamides

The synthesis of sulfonamides, a class of compounds with significant pharmaceutical and medicinal applications, has seen remarkable advancements with the advent of magnetic nanocatalysts. Magnetic nanocomposites are one of the most efficient and widely used catalysts, and they are in complete harmony with the principles of modern green chemistry from the point of view of catalysis. These catalysts, typically composed of metal complexes supported on magnetic nanoparticles, offer unique advantages such as ease of recovery and reusability, which are crucial for sustainable and eco-friendly chemical processes. This review comprehensively examines recent developments in applying magnetic nanocatalysts to prepare sulfonamides. Key focus areas include the design and synthesis of various magnetic nanocatalysts (MNC), their catalytic performance in different reaction conditions, and mechanistic insights into their catalytic activity. By summarizing the latest research and technological advancements, this article aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in catalysis and pharmaceutical chemistry.

Fabrication of a free-standing Ti3C2T x -PTh counter electrode via interfacial polymerization for dye-sensitized solar cells

The current work involves the fabrication of a MXene-Polythiophene (Ti3C2T x -PTh) composite via interfacial polymerization, alongside its deployment as a counter electrode (CE) or photocathode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The structural properties of the synthesized materials were investigated through a comprehensive array of techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical performance, assessed via cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), revealed that the Ti3C2T x -PTh CE exhibits superior electro-catalytic activity, and reduction in charge transfer resistance compared to other individual CEs. These observations are in concordance with the data obtained from Tafel analysis. The incorporation of Ti3C2T x sheets into the composite significantly augmented its catalytic efficacy for triiodide reduction, manifesting in elevated short-circuit photocurrent density and enhanced fill factor metrics. A DSSC utilizing the Ti3C2T x -PTh CE exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.83%, which stands on par with that of traditional Pt CEs. Thus, the Ti3C2T x -PTh CE material is posited as a viable, cost-efficient alternative to Pt, heralding a new era in the engineering of counter electrodes for the next generation of DSSCs.

Investigation and development of photocathodes using polyaniline Encapsulated Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets for dye-sensitized solar cells

In the current study, polyaniline (PANI) modified two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene composites (PANI-Ti3C2Tx) are exploited as photocathodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The study revealed that incorporating PANI into Ti3C2Tx improved the material's electrochemical properties, owing to the presence of amino groups in PANI that enhanced the material's electrical conductivity and thereby facilitated more rapid ion transport. In addition, PANI enhanced the surface wettability of Ti3C2Tx, resulting in an increase in the number of electroactive sites. The presence of PANI molecules in the interlayer and on the surface of Ti3C2Tx was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Subsequently, electrochemical analysis of the PANI-Ti3C2Tx photocathode or counter electrode (CE) revealed a commendable electrocatalytic activity with the iodide/triiodide electrolyte, a favourable charge transfer kinetics, and a charge transfer resistance as low as platinum. Additionally, at AM 1.5G, the performance of the DSSC constructed using the thermally decomposed Pt-CE was 8.3% when subjected to simulated 1 sun light, whereas the efficiency of the DSSC constructed using the as-prepared composite material was 6.9% under corresponding conditions. PANI-Ti3C2Tx as the photocathode (CE) in a DSSC showed a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) improvement than PANI CE and Ti3C2Tx CE DSSCs, emphasizing its potent catalytic activity and quick mass transport of electron capability. By capitalizing on the conductivity and electrocatalytic property of the two components, the as-fabricated PANI-Ti3C2Tx photocathode significantly increased the overall PCE of DSSCs. Furthermore, the DSSC utilizing the PANI-Ti3C2Tx CE demonstrated exceptional reproducibility and stability. This underscores its consistently high performance and significant resistance to corrosion in the iodide/triiodide redox electrolyte environment. Overall, these findings show that the PANI-Ti3C2Tx composite has the potential to be a competitive alternative to platinum-based CE materials for the development of DSSCs with exceptional performance.

Highly sensitive electrochemical sensing of norfloxacin by molecularly imprinted composite hollow spheres

Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-based molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors have attracted widespread attention for monitoring contaminants in food and the environment. However, there are still problems such as poor hydrophilicity, easy agglomeration, and low selectivity in its preparation. In this work, a novel molecularly imprinted composite hollow sphere was prepared by a molecular imprinting technique using nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres as matrix material, and PEDOT and poly(methacrylic acid) as monomers. The selective binding capabilities and mechanism of the material to norfloxacin (NOR) were systematically investigated. Then the material-based sensor was constructed, and its electrochemical detection performance toward NOR was thoroughly studied. The sensor exhibited a wide linear range (0.0005-31 μM), a low detection limit (0.061 nM), satisfactory immunity to interference and stability. Besides, the sensor displayed better sensitivity and reliability (spiked recoveries of 98.0-105.2%, relative standard deviation of 3.45-5.69%) for detecting NOR in lake water, honey, and milk than high-performance liquid chromatography. This work provides a new strategy for developing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-based molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors.

Elucidating the performance of hexamethylene tetra-amine interlinked bimetallic NiCo-MOF for efficient electrochemical hydrogen and oxygen evolution

Bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) play a significant role in the electrocatalysis of water due to their large surface area and availability of increased numbers of pores. For the inaugural time, we examine the effectiveness of a hexamethylene tetra-amine (HMT)-induced 3D NiCo-MOF-based nanostructure as a potent bifunctional electrocatalyst with superior performance for overall water splitting in alkaline environments. The structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the as-synthesized bifunctional catalyst were examined thoroughly before analyzing its behavior towards electrochemical water splitting. The HMT-based NiCo-MOF demonstrated small overpotential values of 274 mV and 330 mV in reaching a maximum current density of 30 mA cm-2 for hydrogen and oxygen evolution mechanisms, respectively. The Tafel parameter also showed favorable HER/OER reaction kinetics, with slopes of 78 mV dec-1 and 86 mV dec-1 determined during the electrochemical evaluation. Remarkably, the NiCo-HMT electrode exhibited a double-layer capacitance of 4 mF cm-2 for hydrogen evolution and 23 mF cm-2 for oxygen evolution, while maintaining remarkable stability even after continuous operation for 20 hours. This research offers a valuable blueprint for implementing a cost-effective and durable MOF-based bifunctional catalytic system that has proven to be effective for complete water splitting. Decomposition of water under higher current densities is crucial for effective long-term generation and commercial consumption of hydrogen.

Domain-Limited Sub-Nanometer Co Nanoclusters in Defective Nitrogen Doped Carbon Structures for Non-Invasive Drug Monitoring

In this work, sub-nanometer Co clusters anchored on porous nitrogen-doped carbon (C─N─Co NCs) are successfully prepared by high-temperature annealing and pre-fabricated template strategies for non-invasive sensing of clozapine (CLZ) as an efficient substrate adsorption and electrocatalyst. The introduction of Co sub-nanoclusters (Co NCs) provides enhanced electrochemical performance and better substrate adsorption potential compared to porous and nitrogen-doped carbon structures. Combined with ab initio calculations, it is found that the favorable CLZ catalytic performance with C─N─Co NCs is mainly attributed to possessing a more stable CLZ adsorption structure and lower conversion barriers of CLZ to oxidized state CLZ. An electrochemical sensor for CLZ detection is conceptualized with a wide operating range and high sensitivity, with monitoring capabilities validated in a variety of body fluid environments. Based on the developed CLZ sensing system, the CLZ correlation between blood and saliva and the accuracy of the sensor are investigated by the gold standard method and the rat model of drug administration, paving the way for non-invasive drug monitoring. This work provides new insights into the development of efficient electrocatalysts to enable drug therapy and administration monitoring in personalized healthcare systems.

A comparative study of α-Ni(OH)2 and Ni nanoparticle supported ZIF-8@reduced graphene oxide-derived nitrogen doped carbon for electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation

Ethanol electrooxidation is an important reaction for fuel cells, however, the major obstacle to ethanol electrocatalysis is the splitting of the carbon-carbon bond to CO2 at lower overpotentials. Herein, a ZIF-8@graphene oxide-derived highly porous nitrogen-doped carbonaceous platform containing zinc oxide was attained for supporting a non-precious Ni-based catalyst. The support was doped with the disordered α-phase Ni(OH)2 NPs and Ni NPs that are converted to Ni(OH)2 through potential cycling in alkaline media. The Ni-based catalysts exhibit high electroactivity owing to the formation of the NiOOH species which has more unpaired d electrons that can bond with the adsorbed species. From CV curves, the EOR onset potential of the α-Ni(OH)2/ZNC@rGO electrode is strongly shifted to negative potential (Eonset = 0.34 V) with a high current density of 8.3 mA cm-2 relative to Ni/ZNC@rGO. The high catalytic activity is related to the large interlayer spacing of α-Ni(OH)2 which facilitates the ion-solvent intercalation. Besides, the porous structure of the NC and the high conductivity of rGO facilitate the kinetic transport of the reactants and electrons. Finally, the catalyst displays a high stability of 92% after 900 cycles relative to the Ni/ZNC@rGO and commercial Pt/C catalysts. Hence, the fabricated α-Ni(OH)2/ZNC@rGO catalyst could be regarded as a potential catalyst for direct EOR in fuel cells.

Co3O4 nanoparticle modified N, P co-doped carbon paper as sodium carrier to construct stable anodes for Na-metal batteries

Sodium (Na) metal batteries such as Na-ion batteries and Na-CO2 batteries are considered to be excellent alternatives to lithium batteries in terms of their potential applications because of their high specific capacity and low cost. However, the sodium anode showed low efficiency and poor cycling in Na-metal battery performance due to the formation of sodium dendrites and serious corrosion. In this work, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) co-doped carbon paper (NP-CP) modified with cobalt tetroxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles was prepared as the Na anode carrier (Co3O4@NP-CP), and a sodium-based composite anode (Na-Co@NP-CP) was further prepared by electrodepositing sodium. The experimental results indicate that the N, P and Co3O4 multi-doped carbon paper has good sodiophilicity, which can induce the uniform plating/stripping of Na+ ions and inhibit the growth of Na dendrites. The N, P doped carbon paper provides a high surface area and tremendous three-dimensional (3D) framework to effectively reduce the areal current density, facilitate the transfer of electrons, and enhance battery life. Therefore, Na-Co@NP-CP based symmetric cells exhibit stable cycling of over 1100 hours at current densities of 1 mA cm-2 and fixed capacity of 1 mA h cm-2. When the Na-Co@NP-CP anode couples with CO2, the assembled batteries can deliver a stable cycling of 165 cycles at current densities of 500 mA g-1 and limited capacity of 500 mA h g-1. When Na-Co@NP-CP anode couples with Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) cathode, the assembled cells exhibit lower hysteresis and batter cycling performance.

Application of dandelion-like Sm2O3/Co3O4/rGO in high performance supercapacitors

Novel 2D material-based supercapacitors are promising candidates for energy applications due to their distinctive physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties. In this study, a dandelion-like structure material comprised of Sm2O3, Co3O4, and 2D reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on nickel foam (NF) was synthesised using a hydrothermal method followed by subsequent annealing treatment. This dandelion composite grows further through the tremella-like structure of Sm2O3 and Co3O4, which facilitates the diffusion of ions and prevents structural collapse during charging and discharging. A substantial number of active sites are generated during redox reactions by the unique surface morphology of the Sm2O3/Co3O4/rGO/NF composite (SCGN). The maximum specific capacity the SCGN material achieves is 3448 F g-1 for 1 A g-1 in a 6 mol L-1 KOH solution. Benefiting from its morphological structure, the prepared composite (SCGN) exhibits a high cyclability of 93.2% over 3000 charge-discharge cycles at 10 A g-1 and a coulombic efficiency of 97.4%. Additionally, the assembled SCGN//SCGN symmetric supercapacitors deliver a high energy density of 64 W h kg-1 with a power density of 300 W kg-1, which increases to an outstanding power density of 12 000 W kg-1 at 28.7 W h kg-1 and long cycle stability (80.9% capacitance retention after 30 000 cycles). These results suggest that the manufactured SCGN electrodes could be viable active electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitors.

Construction and characterization of a magnetic nanoparticle-supported Cu complex: a stable and active nanocatalyst for synthesis of heteroaryl-aryl and di-heteroaryl sulfides

Diaryl and di-heteroaryl sulfides exist in the structure of many drugs and important biological compounds, also these compounds are well-known in medicinal chemistry due to important biological and pharmaceutical activities. Therefore, the development of novel, ecofriendly and efficient catalytic systems for the preparation of diaryl and di-heteroaryl sulfides is a very attractive and important challenge in organic synthesis. In this attractive methodology, we wish to introduce Fe3O4-supported 3-amino-4-mercaptobenzoic acid copper complex (Fe3O4@AMBA-CuI) nanomaterials as a novel and efficient magnetically recoverable catalyst for the preparation of heteroaryl-aryl and di-heteroaryl sulfides with high yields through reaction of heteroaryl halides with aryl or heteroaryl boronic acids and S8 as the sulfur source under ecofriendly conditions. This catalytic system was very efficient and practical for a diverse range of heteroaryl substrates including benzothiazole, benzoxazole, benzimidazole, oxadiazole, benzofuran, and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, because the desired diaryl and di-heteroaryl sulfides were prepared with high yields. The reusability-experiments revealed that the Fe3O4@AMBA-CuI nanocatalyst can be magnetically separated and reused at least six times without a significant decrease in its catalytic activity. VSM and ICP-OES analyses confirmed that despite using the Fe3O4@AMBA-CuI nanocatalyst 6 times, the magnetic properties and stability of the catalyst were still maintained. Although all the obtained heteroaryl-aryl and di-heteroaryl sulfide products are known and previously reported, the synthesis of this number of heteroaryl-aryl and di-heteroaryl sulfides has never been reported by any previouse methods.

Current advancements and prospects of enzymatic and non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors

This review discusses the most current developments and future perspectives in enzymatic and non-enzymatic glucose sensors, which have notably evolved over the preceding quadrennial period. Furthermore, a thorough exploration encompassed the sensor's intricate fabrication processes, the diverse range of materials employed, the underlying principles of detection, and an in-depth assessment of the sensors' efficacy in detecting glucose levels within essential bodily fluids such as human blood serums, urine, saliva, and interstitial fluids. It is worth noting that the accurate quantification of glucose concentrations within human blood has been effectively achieved by utilizing classical enzymatic sensors harmoniously integrated with optical and electrochemical transduction mechanisms. Monitoring glucose levels in various mediums has attracted exceptional attention from industrial to academic researchers for diabetes management, food quality control, clinical medicine, and bioprocess inspection. There has been an enormous demand for the creation of novel glucose sensors over the past ten years. Research has primarily concentrated on succeeding biocompatible and enhanced sensing abilities related to the present technologies, offering innovative avenues for more effective glucose sensors. Recent developments in wearable optical and electrochemical sensors with low cost, high stability, point-of-care testing, and online tracking of glucose concentration levels in biological fluids can aid in managing and controlling diabetes globally. New nanomaterials and biomolecules that can be used in electrochemical sensor systems to identify glucose concentration levels are developed thanks to advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic glucose electrochemical sensors have garnered much interest recently and have made significant strides in detecting glucose levels. In this review, we summarise several categories of non-enzymatic glucose sensor materials, including composites, non-precious transition metals and their metal oxides, hydroxides, precious metals and their alloys, carbon-based materials, conducting polymers, metal-organic framework (MOF)-based electrocatalysts, and wearable device-based glucose sensors deeply.

Determination of sulfide in complex biofilm matrices using silver-coated, 4-mercaptobenzonitrile-modified gold nanoparticles, encapsulated in ZIF-8 as surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoprobe

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoprobe has been developed for sulfide detection and applied to  complex bacterial biofilms. The nanoprobe, Au@4-MBN@Ag@ZIF-8, comprised a gold core modified with 4-mercaptobenzonitrile (4-MBN) as signaling source, a layer of silver shell as the sulfide sensitization material, and a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as surface barrier. ZIF-8, with its high surface area and mesoporous structure, was applied to preconcentrate sulfide around the nanoprobe with its excellent adsorption capacity. Besides, the external wrapping of ZIF-8 can not only prevent the interference of biomolecules, such as proteins, with the Au@4-MBN@Ag assay but also enhance the detection specificity through the sulfide cleavage function towards ZIF-8. These properties are critical for the application of this nanoprobe to complex environmental scenarios. In the presence of sulfide, it was first enriched through adsorption by the outer ZIF-8 layer, then destroyed the barrier layer, and subsequently reacted with the Ag shell, leading to changes in the Raman signal. Through this rational design, the Au@4-MBN@Ag@ZIF-8 nanoprobe exhibited excellent detection sensitivity, with a sulfide detection limit in the nanomolar range and strong linearity in the concentration range  50 nM to 500 μM. Furthermore, the proposed Au@4-MBN@Ag@ZIF-8 nanoprobe was effectively utilized for sulfide detection in intricate biofilm matrices, demonstrating its robust selectivity and reproducibility.

Crystal plane-integrated strontium oxide/hexagonal boron nitride nanohybrids for rapid electrochemical sensing of anticancer drugs in human blood serum samples

In this work, the crystal plane of strontium oxide (SrO) nanorods was integrated into hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets to form 1D-2D (SrO/h-BN) composite were utilized for the electrochemical detection of the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu). 5-Fu is a clinically proven and the third most frequently applied chemotherapeutic drug for treating solid tumours, such as colorectal, stomach, cutaneous and breast malignancies. Its overdoses lead to toxic metabolite accumulation that has serious adverse consequences on humans, including neurotoxicity, death and the induction of morbidity. Therefore, to improve the chemotherapy and predict the potential adverse effects of 5-Fu residues in the human body, susceptible and quick analytical methods for detecting 5-Fu in human body fluids (blood serum/plasma and urine) are needed. The effective interaction of the synthesized SrO/h-BN composite shows increased efficiency for the electrochemical detection of 5-Fu with good selectivity. Notably, a simple sonochemical method achieved a synergistic interaction between the (100) plane of SrO and the (002) plane of h-BN. Various analytical and spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the SrO/h-BN nanocomposite, which provided useful insights into the composition and properties of the composite material. The crystalline, structural and chemical characteristics of the as-synthesized material were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, HR-TEM, XPS and HR-SEM. Furthermore, the proposed electrode's electrochemical sensing capability was analysed using CV, EIS, DPV and i-t curve methods. Numerous active sites created on a modified electrode enhanced the mass transport and electron transfer rate, thereby increasing the electrochemical activity towards the 5-Fu detection. Consequently, under optimized conditions, the SrO/h-BN/GCE exhibited remarkable selectivity, durability, low detection limit (0.003 μM) and wide linear range (0.02-56 μM) for 5-Fu. Finally, the successful application of this sensor for 5-Fu detection in biological samples was successfully tested with high recovery percentages.

A novel portable immuno-device for the recognition of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 biomarker using GQD-AgNPrs conductive ink stabilized on the surface of cellulose

Lymphatic vessel endothelium expresses various lymphatic marker molecules. LYVE-1, the lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan (HA) receptor, a 322-residue protein belonging to the integral membrane glycoproteins which is found on lymph vessel wall and is completely absent from blood vessels. LYVE-1 is very effective in the passage of lymphocytes and tumor cells into the lymphatics. As regards cancer metastasis, in vitro studies indicate LYVE-1 to be involved in tumor cell adhesion. Researches show that, in neoplastic tissue, LYVE-1 is limited to the lymphovascular and could well be proper for studies of tumor lymphangiogenesis. So, the monitoring of LYVE-1 level in human biofluids has provided a valuable approach for research into tumor lymphangiogenesis. For the first time, an innovative paper-based electrochemical immune-platform was developed for recognition of LYVE-1. For this purpose, graphene quantum dots decorated silver nanoparticles nano-ink was synthesized and designed directly by writing pen-on paper technology on the surface of photographic paper. This nano-ink has a great surface area for biomarker immobilization. The prepared paper-based biosensor was so small and cheap and also has high stability and sensitivity. For the first time, biotinylated antibody of biomarker (LYVE-1) was immobilized on the surface of working electrode and utilized for the monitoring of specific antigen by simple immune-assay strategy. The designed biosensor showed two separated linear ranges in the range of 20-320 pg ml-1 and 0.625-10 pg ml-1, with the acceptable limit of detection (LOD) of 0.312 pg ml-1. Additionally, engineered immunosensor revealed excellent selectivity that promises its use in complex biological samples and assistance for biomarker-related disease screening in clinical studies.

Synergistic effect of bimetallic Pd-Pt nanocrystals for highly efficient methanol oxidation electrocatalysts

Metal nanocrystals (NCs) with controlled compositional and distributional structures have gained increasing attention due to their unique properties and broad applications, particularly in fuel cell systems. However, despite the significant importance of composition in metal NCs and their electrocatalytic behavior, comprehensive investigations into the relationship between atomic distribution and electrocatalytic activity remain scarce. In this study, we present the development of four types of nanocubes with similar sizes and controlled compositions (Pd-Pt alloy, Pd@Pt core-shell, Pd, and Pt) to investigate their influence on electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The electrocatalytic activity and stability of these nanocubes exhibited variations based on their compositional structures, potentially affecting the interaction between the surface-active sites of the nanocrystals and reactive molecules. As a result, leveraging the synergistic effect of their alloy nanostructure, the Pd-Pt alloy nanocubes exhibited exceptional performance in MOR, surpassing the catalytic activity of other nanocubes, including Pd@Pt core-shell nanocubes, monometallic Pd and Pt nanocubes, as well as commercial Pd/C and Pt/C catalysts.