Carbon nanotube-interconnected ruthenium phthalocyanine nanoparticles used for real-time monitoring of nitric oxide released from vascular endothelial barrier model

Real-time monitoring of nitric oxide (NO) is of great importance in diagnosing the physiological functions of neurotransmission, cardiovascular, and immune systems. This study reports the carbon nanotube-interconnected ruthenium phthalocyanine nanoparticle nanocomposite and its applicability in construction of an electrochemical platform, which could real-time detect NO released from the vascular endothelial barrier (VEB) model in cell culture medium. The nanocomposite exhibits regular morphology, uniform particle size, and excellent electro-catalytic activity to electrochemical oxidation of NO. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical device has high sensitivity (0.871 μA μM-1) and can selectively detect NO down to the concentration of 6 × 10-10 M. The human brain microvascular endothelial cells were cultured onto the Transwell support to construct the VEB model. Upon stimulated by L-arginine, NO produced by the VEB diffuses into the bottom chamber of the Transwell, and is real-time monitored by the electrochemical device. Moreover, evaluation of the NO inhibition by drug is realized using the electrochemical device-Transwell platform. This simple and sensitive platform would be of great interesting for evaluating the endothelial function or its pathological states, and screening the related drugs or chemicals.

Au/PANI@PtCu-based electrochemical immunosensor for ultrasensitive determination of pro-gastrin-releasing peptide

An ultrasensitive sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor for pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) detection was constructed based on PtCu nanodendrites functionalized Au/polyaniline nanospheres (Au/PANI@PtCu). The prepared Au/PANI@PtCu nanocomposites not only possessed excellent electro-catalytic activity of H2O2 reduction due to the synergistic effect between the Au/PANI and PtCu NDs but also provided large specific surface area for detection of antibodies (Ab2) immobilization. In addition, Au nanoparticles encapsulated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (AuNPs@MWCNTs) were also applied to modify the glassy carbon electrode interface for loading numerous capture antibodies (Ab1). In the presence of target ProGRP, a sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor showed a strong current response from the electro-catalysis of Au/PANI@PtCu toward H2O2 reduction. Benefiting from the exceptional electro-catalytic performance of Au/PANI@PtCu and the high conductivity of AuNPs@MWCNTs, the sandwich-type immunoassay exhibited remarkable sensitivity in detection. The linear range extended from 100 fg/mL to 10 ng/mL, while achieving an impressively low limit of detection of 77.62 fg/mL.

PdPtRu trimetallic nanozymes and application to electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive SARS-COV-2 antigen detection

Herein, a ternary PdPtRu nanodendrite as novel trimetallic nanozyme was reported, which possessed excellent peroxidase-like activity as well as electro-catalytic activity on account of the synergistic effect between the three metals. Based on the excellent electro-catalytic activity of trimetallic PdPtRu nanozyme toward the reduction of H₂O₂, the trimetallic nanozyme was applied to construct a brief electrochemical immunosensor for SARS-COV-2 antigen detection. Concretely, trimetallic PdPtRu nanodendrite was used to modify electrode surface, which not only generated high reduction current of H₂O₂ for signal amplification, but also provided massive active sites for capture antibody (Ab₁) immobilization to construct immunosensor. In the presence of target SARS-COV-2 antigen, SiO₂ nanosphere labeled detection antibody (Ab₂) composites were introduced on the electrode surface according sandwich immuno-reaction. Due to the inhibitory effect of SiO₂ nanosphere on the current signal, the current signal was decreased with the increasing target SARS-COV-2 antigen concentration. As a result, the proposed electrochemical immunosensor presented sensitive detection of SARS-COV-2 antigen with linear range from 1.0 pg/mL to 1.0 μg/mL and limit of detection down to 51.74 fg/mL. The proposed immunosensor provide a brief but sensitive antigen detection tool for rapid diagnosis of COVID-19.

Functionalization of a carbon nanofiber with a tetrasulfonatophenyl ruthenium(II)porphine complex for real-time amperometric sensing of chlorpromazine

A carbon nanofiber functionalized with ruthenium(II)-tetrasulfonato phenyl porphine (CNF/Ru-TSPP) is shown to be viable sensor for amperometric determination of the antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine (CPZ). The hollow platelet structured Ru-TSPP combines with the hollow cylindrical tube-like structure of the CNF via π stacking interaction. The morphological and electro conductive properties of the electrode were characterized by spectrophotometric techniques. The CNF/Ru-TSPP modified electrode displays a large surface-to-volume ratio, good electron transport and good electrocatalytic activity. The amperometric sensor, typically operated at a potential 0.63 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) exhibits a linear response in the 0.6 nM to 1.1 mM CPZ concentration range, has a 0.2 nM detection limit, and a remarkably good electrochemical sensitivity (2.405 μA μM^-1 cm^-2). The sensor is selective, repeatable and reproducible. It was successfully applied to the determination of CPZ in spiked serum samples. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of carbon nanofiber/ tetrasulfonatophenyl Ruthenium(II)porphine (CNF/Ru-TSPP) nanocomposite synthesis and application for the electrochemical determination of chlorpromazine (CPZ).