Rapid synthesis of cypress-like CuO nanomaterials and CuO/MWCNTs composites for ultra-high sensitivity electrochemical sensing of nitrite

Non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor based on ionic liquid [BMIM][PF6] functionalized zirconium‑copper bimetallic MOF composite for the detection of nitrite in food samples

In this study, we developed an electrochemical sensor utilizing a composite material consisting of zirconium‑copper bimetallic metal-organic framework functionalized with ionic liquid [BMIM][PF6]. This composite material was fabricated by simple wet impregnation method, which not only maintains excellent electrocatalytic activity but also enhances electron transfer rate and electroactive surface area. The ZrCu-MOF-818/ILs composite modified electrode has been demonstrated as an effective tool for the detection of nitrite. The electrode exhibited a remarkable limit of detection (LOD) of 0.148 μM and wide linear ranges of 6-3000 μM and 3000-5030 μM. It is worth noting that the sensor displayed excellent reproducibility and repeatability, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values of 1.06% and 1.37%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed method was successfully applied for the detection of nitrite in tap water and pickle juice.

In Situ Preparation of Metallic Copper Nanosheets/Carbon Paper Sensitive Electrodes for Low-Potential Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite

In the realm of electrochemical nitrite detection, the potent oxidizing nature of nitrite typically necessitates operation at high detection potentials. However, this study introduces a novel approach to address this challenge by developing a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor with a low reduction detection potential. Specifically, a copper metal nanosheet/carbon paper sensitive electrode (Cu/CP) was fabricated using a one-step electrodeposition method, leveraging the catalytic reduction properties of copper's high occupancy d-orbital. The Cu/CP sensor exhibited remarkable performance in nitrite detection, featuring a low detection potential of -0.05 V vs. Hg/HgO, a wide linear range of 10~1000 μM, an impressive detection limit of 0.079 μM (S/N = 3), and a high sensitivity of 2140 μA mM-1cm-2. These findings underscore the efficacy of electrochemical nitrite detection through catalytic reduction as a means to reduce the operational voltage of the sensor. By showcasing the successful implementation of this strategy, this work sets a valuable precedent for the advancement of electrochemical low-potential nitrite detection methodologies.

Cupric oxide nanosheet as an oxidase mimic for fluorescent detection of acetone by a 3D-printed portable device

A cupric oxide (CuO) nanosheet-based chemical fluorescence sensor was developed to realize the detection of acetone in aqueous solutions. CuO is an oxidase mimic and can catalyze the oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) to form 2,3-diaminophenazine (oxOPD). Interestingly, acetone was found to possess the scavenging ability for superoxide anions generated in the CuO-catalyzed oxidation system, hence weakening the OPD oxidation and leading to a reduction in the fluorescence intensity of the catalyzing system at 574 nm under excitation at 425 nm. Based on this property of acetone, a fluorescent sensor was constructed to detect acetone. The sensor exhibits a linear range of 1.35 to 2 × 105 µmol L-1 and a detection limit of 1.08 µmol L-1. Additionally, a smartphone-free portable device was constructed to realize on-the-spot and rapid detection of acetone in cauliflower, mineral water, tap water, and lake water samples. The recoveries by the portable device are 93.2 to 108% for actual samples, with relative standard deviations of less than 4.3%, indicating a potential application prospect of the device in on-site detection.

Selective determination of nitrite in water and food samples using zirconium oxide (ZrO2)@MWCNTs modified screen printed electrode

Nitrite ions are being used in different forms as food preservatives acting as flavor enhancers or coloring agents for food products. However, continuous ingestion of nitrite may have severe health implications due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Thus, this study constructed an electrochemical assay using disposable nano-sensor chip ZrO₂@MWCNTs screen printed electrodes (SPE) for the rapid, selective, and sensitive determination of nitrite in food and water samples. As a sensing platform, the use of nanomaterials, including metal oxide nanostructures and carbon nanotubes, exhibited a superior electrocatalytic activity and conductivity. Morphological, structural, and electrochemical analyses were performed using electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Accordingly, a wide dynamic linear range (5.0 μM to 100 μM) was obtained with a limit of detection of 0.94 μM by the chronoamperometric technique. In addition, the sensor's selectivity was tested when several non-target species were exposed to the sensor chips while no obvious electrochemical signals were generated when the nitrite ions were not present. Eventually, real food and water sample analysis was conducted, and a high recovery was achieved.

One-step synthesis of nanosilver embedding laser-induced graphene for H2O2 sensor

During the novel coronavirus pandemic, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) played an important role as a disinfectant. However, high concentrations of H₂O₂ can also cause damage to the skin and eyes. Therefore, the quantitative and qualitative detection of H₂O₂ is an important research direction. In this work, we report a one-step laser-induced synthesis of graphene doped with Ag NPs composites. It directly trims screen printed electrodes (SPE). Firstly, we did the timekeeping current method (CA) test on H₂O₂ using a conventional platinum sheet as the counter electrode, and obtained linear ranges of 1-110 μM and 110-800 μM with a sensitivity of 118.7 and 96.3 μAmM^-1cm^-2 and a low detection limit of (LOD) 0.24 μM and 0.31 μM. On this basis we have also achieved a good result in CA testing using Screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCE), laying the foundation for portable testing. The sensor has excellent interference immunity and high selectivity.

Recent advances on rapid detection and remediation of environmental pollutants utilizing nanomaterials-based (bio)sensors

Environmental safety has become a significant issue for the safety of living species, humans, and the ecosystem as a consequence of the harmful and detrimental consequences of various pollutants such as pesticides, heavy metals, dyes, etc., emitted into the surroundings. To resolve this issue, various efforts, legal acts, scientific and technological perspectives have been embraced, but still remain a global concern. Furthermore, due to non-portability, complex detection, and inappropriate on-site recognition of sophisticated laboratory tools, the real-time analysis of these environmental contaminants has been limited. As a result of innovative nano bioconjugation and nanofabrication techniques, nanotechnology enables enhanced nanomaterials (NMs) based (bio)sensors demonstrating ultra-sensitivity and a short detection time in real-time analysis, as well as superior sensitivity, reliability, and selectivity have been developed. Several researchers have demonstrated the potent detection of pollutants such as Hg²⁺ ion by the usage of AgNP-MD in electronic and optoelectronic methods with a detection limit of 5-45 μM which is quite significant. Taking into consideration of such tremendous research, herein, the authors have highlighted 21st-century strategies towards NMs based biosensor technology for pollutants detection, including nano biosensors, enzyme-based biosensors, electrochemical-based biosensors, carbon-based biosensors and optical biosensors for on-site identification and detection of target analytes. This article will provide a brief overview of the significance of utilizing NMs-based biosensors for the detection of a diverse array of hazardous pollutants, and a thorough understanding of the detection processes of NMs-based biosensors, as well as the limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) values, rendering researchers to focus on the world's need for a sustainable earth.

A novel electrochemical sensor based on nitrite-oxidizing bacteria for highly specific and sensitive detection of nitrites

Real-time nitrite control in water is necessary for environmental safety and human health, and has triggered the research and development of novel detection methods. Previous studies have made great progress on enzyme-free and enzyme electrochemical sensors. However, enzyme-free sensors have low selectivity and a complex preparation process, and enzyme sensors have short lifetimes, and these issues need to be addressed. In this work, we proposed for the first time a highly specific and sensitive biofilm sensor based on nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) for the bio-electrochemical detection of nitrite in water. The mechanism of nitrite detection was attributed to the competition of oxygen between aerobic respiration of the NOB and the cathode oxygen reduction on the carbon felt electrode, resulting in a decrease in current. This decrease in current (ΔI) had a linear relationship with the nitrite concentration in the range of 0.1 to 1 mg L^-1 and 1 to 10 mg L^-1, which was corresponding to the sensitivities of 48.62 and 2.24 μA mM^-1 cm^-2, respectively. And the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be 0.033 mg L^-1 (2.39 μM) with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Moreover, several common interfering ions had no effect on the nitrite detection owing to the functional microbial species (NOB) and weakly electrochemical behavior of electrode at the low potential of -0.1 V, showing high specificity for nitrite detection of biofilm sensor. Therefore, the actual nitrified wastewater was well detected by the biofilm sensor. In addition, allylthiourea (ATU) took good effect on the resistance of the influence of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in the biofilm sensor, maintaining the high selectivity of biofilm sensor in case the biofilm sensor was fouled with AOB. The biofilm sensor in our work showed good selectivity, sensitivity and stability in long-term detection.

Structural and morphological tuning of Cu-based metal oxide nanoparticles by a facile chemical method and highly electrochemical sensing of sulphite

A facile one-step chemical method is introduced for the successful synthesis of Cu₂O, CuO and CuNa₂(OH)₄ crystal structures and their electrochemical properties were also investigated. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that these copper-based oxide nanoparticles display different crystal structures such as cubic (Cu₂O), monoclinic (CuO) and orthorhombic [CuNa₂(OH)₄]. The microstructural information of nanoparticles was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. It shows attractive morphologies of different orientation such as rod like structure, nanobeads and well-aligned uniform nanorod for Cu₂O, CuO and CuNa₂(OH)₄, respectively. Electrochemical sensing of sulphite (SO₃²⁻) on these three copper-based oxide modified electrodes was investigated. Among the three different crystal structures, CuO shows promising electrocatalytic activity towards oxidation of sulphite. A linear variation in peak current was obtained for SO₃²⁻ oxidation from 0.2 to 15 mM under the optimum experimental condition. The sensitivity and detection limit were in the order of 48.5 µA cm⁻² mM⁻¹ and 1.8 µM, respectively. Finally, practical utility of CuO modified electrode was demonstrated for the estimation of sulphite in commercial wine samples.