White-light-exciting, layer-by-layer-assembled ZnCdHgSe quantum dots/polymerized ionic liquid hybrid film for highly sensitive photoelectrochemical immunosensing of neuron specific enolase.

ZnCdHgSe quantum dots (QDs) functionalized with N-acetyl-l-cysteine were synthesized and characterized. Through layer-by-layer assembling, the ZnCdHgSe QDs was integrated with a polymerized 1-decyl-3-[3-pyrrole-1-yl-propyl]imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (PDPIT) ionic liquid film modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode to fabricated a photoelectrochemical interface for the immobilization of rabbit antihuman neuron specific enolase (anti-NSE). After being treated with glutaraldehyde vapor and bovine serum albumin successively, an anti-NSE/ZnCdHgSe QDs/PDPIT/ITO sensing platform was established. Simplely using a white-light LED as an excitation source, the immunoassay of neuron specific enolase (NSE) was achieved through monitoring the photocurrent variation. The polymerized ionic liquid film was demonstrated to be an important element to enhance the photocurrent response of ZnCdHgSe QDs. The anti-NSE/ZnCdHgSe QDs/PDPIT/ITO based immunosensor presents excellent performances in neuron specific enolase determination. The photocurrent variation before and after being interacted with NSE exhibits a good linear relationship with the logarithm of its concentration (log cNSE) in the range from 1.0 pg mL(-1) to 100 ng mL(-1). The limit of detection of this immunosensor is able to reach 0.2 pg mL(-1) (S/N = 3). The determination of NSE in clinical human sera was also demonstrated using anti-NSE/ZnCdHgSe QDs/PDPIT/ITO electrode. The results were found comparable with those obtained by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

Electrochemical fabrication of polymerized imidazole-based ionic liquid bearing pyrrole moiety for sensitive determination of hexestrol in chicken meat.

1-[3-(tert-Butoxycarbonylamino)propyl]-3-[3-(N-pyrrole)propyl]imidazolium tetrafluoroborate [(t-Boc-APPPI)BF4], which is a novel pyrrolyl-functionalized ionic liquid, was synthesized and characterized. Subsequently, it was electrochemically deposited onto a glassy carbon electrode surface to fabricate a polymerized ionic liquid film electrode. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to confirm the successful polymerization of ionic liquid. Voltammetric behaviors of hexestrol at the film electrode were investigated. The oxidation peak slightly shifted towards positive potential, however, dramatically increased in peak current. Experimental conditions for hexestrol determination were optimized. The oxidation peak current is linear with hexestrol concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10(-8)-1.0 × 10(-5) mol L(-1). The detection limit is estimated to be 2.1 × 10(-9) mol L(-1) (S/N=3). Hexestrol in chicken meat was determined using the film electrode with good accuracy.

Liquid-phase exfoliated graphene as highly-sensitive sensor for simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors: diethylstilbestrol and estradiol.

It is quite important to develop convenient and rapid analytical methods for trace levels of endocrine disruptors because they heavily affect health and reproduction of humans and animals. Herein, graphene was easily prepared via one-step exfoliation using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as solvent, and then used to construct an electrochemical sensor for highly-sensitive detection of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and estradiol (E2). On the surface of prepared graphene film, two independent and greatly-increased oxidation waves were observed at 0.28V and 0.49V for DES and E2. The remarkable signal enlargements indicated that the detection sensitivity was improved significantly. The influences of pH value, amount of graphene and accumulation time on the oxidation signals of DES and E2 were discussed. As a result, a highly-sensitive and rapid electrochemical method was newly developed for simultaneous detection of DES and E2. The values of detection limit were evaluated to be 10.87 nM and 4.9 nM for DES and E2. Additionally, this new method was successfully used in lake water samples and the accuracy was satisfactory.