Quantum dots-bienzyme hybrid system for the sensitive determination of glucose

In this paper, we attempt to develop a sensitive detection method for glucose with the combination of the unique optical property of quantum dots and the specificity of enzymatic reactions. With glucose and hydroquinone as substrates, benzoquinone that intensively quenches the photoluminescence of quantum dots can be produced via the catalysis of bienzyme (glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase) system. A relatively low detection limit of 1.0 x 10(-8) mol/L can be achieved. Two linear ranges from 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.5 x 10(-4) M and from 1.5 x 10(-4) to 1.0 x 10(-3) M were obtained.

Kinetic Study of Prolidase Activity in Erythrocytes against Different Substrates Using Capillary Electrophoresis with Electrochemiluminescence Detection

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection was used to explore the kinetics ofthe enzymatic reaction. The different effects ofreaction conditions including the concentration of Mn2l, incubation temperature and pH on PFOlidase (PLD, EC 3.4.13.9) activity in erythrocyte lysates against three different substrates, Gly-Pro, Val-Pro and Leu-Pro were investigated. Also, the effects of colchicine which can prevent or delay cancer ofliver on the PLD activity were studied.

Nanoscale-enhanced Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) electrochemiluminescence labels and related aptamer-based biosensing system

A unique multilabeling at a single-site protocol of the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) system is proposed. Nanoparticles (NPs) were used as assembly substrates to enrich ECL co-reactants of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) to construct nanoscale-enhanced ECL labels. Two different kinds of NP substrates [including semiconductor NPs (CdTe) and noble metal NPs (gold)] capped with 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol (DMAET) [a tertiary amine derivative which is believed to be one of the most efficient of co-reactants of the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) system] were synthesized through a simple one-pot synthesis method in aqueous media.

Investigation of some critical parameters of buffer conditions for the development of quantum dots-based optical sensors

The unique surface-sensitive properties make quantum dots (QDs) great potential in the development of sensors for various analytes. However, quantum dots are not only sensitive to a certain analyte, but also to the surrounding conditions. The controlled response to analyte may be the first step in the designing of functional quantum dots sensors. In this study, taking the quenching effect of benzoquinone (BQ) on CdTe QDs as model, several critical parameters of buffer solution conditions with potential effect on the sensors were investigated. The pH value and the concentration of sodium citrate in the buffer solution critically influenced the quenching effects of BQ.

Effects of divalent metal ions on electrochemiluminescence sensor with Ru(bPY)(3)(2+) immobilized in Eastman-AQ membrane

Different effects of divalent metal ions on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor with Ru(bPY)(3)(2+) immobilized in Eastman-AQ membrane were investigated. Mg2+,Ca2+ and Fe2+ can elevate the ECL of Ru(bpY)(3)(2+)/proline; while metal ions that underwent redox reactions on the electrode such as Mn2+ and Co2+ presented intensive quenching effects on Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) ECL. Also, the quenching effect of Mn2+ on the ECL sensor with Ru(bpY)(3)(2+) immobilized in Eastman-AQ membrane enhanced to about 30-folds compared with the case that Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) was dissolved in phosphate buffer, and the enhanced quenching effects of Mn2+ were studied.

Size-controlled synthesis of monodispersed gold nanoparticles stabilized by polyelectrolyte-functionalized ionic liquid

The size-controlled synthesis of monodispersed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized by polyelectrolyte-functionalized ionic liquid (PFIL) is described. The resulting AuNPs' size, with a narrow distribution, can be tuned by the concentration of HAuCl4. Such PFIL-stabilized AuNPs (PFIL-AuNPs) showed a high stability in water at room temperature for at least one month; they were also quite stable in solutions of pH 7-13 and high concentration of NaCl.

Synthesis, characterization and mechanism of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide bilayer-encapsulated gold nanosheets and nanocrystals

Single-crystal Au nanosheets and fcc gold nanocrystals of uniform size were synthesized by a novel and simple route. The results of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the formation of the single-crystal structure of gold nanosheets and fcc nanocrystals. Energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) showed absorbance of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) molecules onto the surface of gold nanostructures.

Electrostatic layer-by-layer a of platinum-loaded multiwall carbon nanotube multilayer: A tunable catalyst film for anodic methanol oxidation

A simple layer-by-layer (LBL) electrostatic adsorption technique was developed for deposition of films composed of alternating layers of positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and negatively charged multiwall carbon nanotubes bearing platinum nanoparticles (Pt-CNTs). PDDA/Pt-CNT film structure and morphology up to six layers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, showing the Pt-CNT layers to be porous and uniformly deposited within the multilayer films.

Simultaneous synthesis of polyaniline nanotubules and gold nanoplates

This paper describes a facile route for simultaneous synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) nanotubules and gold nanoplates. The inner diameter of PANI nanotubules was less than 10 nm and the length was several micrometers. At the same time, uniform single-crystal gold nanoplates with thicknesses of tens of nanometers were obtained.

Ion-Responsive Behavior of Ionic-Liquid Surfactant Aggregates with Applications in Controlled Release and Emulsification

We propose a simple but efficient, rapid, and quantitative ion-responsive micelle system based on counter-anion exchange of a surfactant with an imidazolium unit. The ion-exchange reaction results in the amphiphilic-to-hydrophobic transition of the imidazolium salt, leading to the destruction of the micelles, which has been successfully applied to control led release and emulsification.

Crystallographic and electrochemical characteristics of Ti45Zr35Ni13Pd7 melt-spun alloys

Ti45Zr35Ni13Pd7 alloys are prepared by melt spinning at different cooling rates (v). The phase structure and electrochemical hydrogen storage performance are investigated. When U is 10 m/s, the alloy consists of icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (I-phase), C14 Laves phase and a little amorphous phase. When v increases to 20 or 30 m/s, a mixed structure of I-phase and amorphous phase is formed. Maximum discharge capacity of alloy electrode decreases from 156 mAh/g (v = 10 m/s) to 139 mAh/g (v = 30 m/s) with increasing v. High-rate discharge ability at the discharge current density of 240 mA/g decreases monotonically from 61.2% (v = 10 m/s) to 56.8% (v = 30 m/s).

[Ru(bpy)2dppz]2+ electrochemiluminescence switch and its applications for DNA interaction study and label-free ATP aptasensor

[Ru(bpy)2dppz]2+ electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was studied, and it was used to investigate DNA interaction and develop a label-free ATP aptasensor for the first time. ECL of [Ru(bpy)2dppz]2+ is negligible in aqueous solution, and increases approximately 1000 times when [Ru(bpy)2dppz]2+ intercalates into the nucleic acid structure. The ECL switch behavior of [Ru(bpy)2dppz]2+ is ascribed to the intercalation that shields the phenazine nitrogens from the solvent and results in a luminescent excited state. The ECL switch by DNA was applied to investigate the interaction of [Ru(bpy)2dppz]2+ with herring sperm DNA. The calculated equilibrium constant (K) is 1.35 x 10(6) M(-1), and the calculated binding-site size (s) is 0.88 base pair, which is consistent with the reported values.

Effect of hydroxyl and amino groups on electrochemiluminescence activity of tertiary amines at low tris(2,2 '-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) concentrations

ECL of several amines containing different numbers of hydroxyl and amino groups was investigated. N-butyldiethanolamine is found to be more effective than 2-(dibutylamino)ethanol at gold and platinum electrodes, and is the most effective coreactant reported until now. Surprisingly, ECL intensities of monoamines, such as 2-(dibutylamino)ethanol and N-butyldiethanolamine, are much stronger than that of diamines including N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine and N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-hydroxypropyl)ethlenediamine. The striking contrast between ECL signals of the investigated monoamines and diamines may result from more significant side reactions of diamines, such as the intramolecular side reactions between oxidative amine cation radicals and reductive amine free radicals.

A novel technique for NACE coupled with simultaneous electrochemiluminescence and electrochemical detection for fast analysis of tertiary amines

A simultaneous electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and electrochemical (EC) detection scheme for NACE was presented for fast analysis of tertiary amines. Both ECL and EC signals were generated at the same Pt electrode. Triethylamine (TEA), tripropylamine (TPrA), chlorpromazine, promethazine, and dioxopromethazine (DPZ) were selected to validate NACE-ECL/EC dual detection strategy. The linear ranges for TEA and TPrA were 0.01-500 and 0.01-10 mu M with the detection limits of 8.0 and 5.0 nM (S/N=3), respectively. The RSDs (n = 6) of the migration time and the ECL intensity for 1 mu M TEA and 0.5 mu M TPrA were 0.1 and 2.8%, and 0.2 and 1.8% with theoretical plate numbers of 180 000 and 700 000 per meter, respectively. These two analytes could be separated within 92 s and the Pt electrode did not need reactivation during the experiments.

A novel tris(2,2 '-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)/tripropylamine cathodic electrochemiluminescence in acetonitrile for the indirect determination of hydrogen peroxide

A novel tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)3(2+)) cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was generated at -0.78V at the Pt electrode in acetonitrile (ACN), which suggested that the cathodic ECL differed from conventional cathodic ECL It was found that tripropylamine (TPrA) could enhance this cathodic ECL and the linear range (log-log plot) was 0.2 mu M-0.2 mM. In addition, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) could inhibit the cathodic ECL and was indirectly detected with the linear range of 27-540 mu M. The RSD (n = 12) of the ECL intensity in the presence of 135 mu M H2O2 was 0.87%. This method was also demonstrated for the fast determination of H2O2 in disinfectant sample and satisfactory results were obtained.