An innovative experimental and mathematical approach in electrochemical sensing for mapping a drug sensor landscape.

Our study delves into the examination of an electrochemical sensor through both experimentation and mathematical analysis. The sensor demonstrates the ability to identify a specific antipsychotic medication, namely Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride (CPH), even at incredibly low concentrations, reaching the picomolar level. The identification process relies on the utilization of a Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE) that has been modified with a ceria-doped zirconia (CeO2/ZrO2) nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was synthesized using the co-precipitation technique and extensively characterized through various analytical methods. It is crucial to detect the presence of CPH as an overdose can result in hyperactivity and severe bipolar disorders among both children and adults. The average size of the nanocomposite was estimated to be 10 nm. The electrode surface area after CeO2/ZrO2 modification of the GCE was found to be 0.059 cm2, which was significantly higher than the electrode surface area of the bare GCE (0.0307 cm2). The limit of detection and limit of quantification for CPH were calculated to be 99.3 pM and 3.010 nM, respectively, with the linear dynamic range of CPH detection found to be between 0.10 and 1.90 µM. The modified sensor electrode was tested on human urine samples with good recoveries and exhibited high selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and long-term stability. The experimental voltammograms and the simulated stochastic voltammograms exhibited a fair amount of agreement. Examination of the experimental findings alongside analytical and numerical solutions enables a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the outcome of electrochemical measurements. The precise findings can be leveraged for the development of efficient sensing devices for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring.

Light harvesting enhancement through band structure engineering in graphite carbon nitride / polydopamine nanocomposite photocatalyst: Addressing persistent organophosphorus pesticide pollution in water systems.

Organophosphorus pesticides, particularly profenofos (PF), pose a significant threat to the food supply and human health due to their persistence, toxicity, and resistance to natural breakdown processes. An urgent need exists for an environmentally friendly solution, and photocatalysis emerges as a practical, cost-effective option. However, challenges like poor light responsiveness and difficulties in material separation and reusability persist. To address these issues, we developed a nanocomposite consisting of graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) doped with polydopamine (pDA) through a hydrothermal synthesis method. This innovative nanocomposite was employed as a photocatalyst to degrade PF. Various analytical techniques, including UV-DRS, FT-IR, XRD, HR-TEM, and EDAX, were utilized to characterize the synthesized nanocomposite. The strategically modulated band gaps of the nanocomposite enable efficient absorption of UV light, facilitating the robust photocatalytic degradation of PF (96.4%). Our study explored photodegradation using different g-C3N4/pDA catalyst dosages, varied PF concentrations, and pH levels (3, 5, 9, and 11) under UV light. Our findings promise applications in wastewater management, offering an efficient catalyst for PF degradation. This marks a significant stride in addressing challenges related to pesticide pollution in the environment.

Sensing the invisible: Ultra-low-level electrochemical detection of the microbe (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) on cobalt ferrite-doped silver nanocomposite (CoFe2O4/AgNPs) surfaces.

This study introduces an efficient electrochemical method for rapidly identifying the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), which poses threats to individuals with compromised immune systems and cystic fibrosis. Unlike conventional techniques such as polymerase chain reaction, which fails to detect modifications in the resistant properties of microbes due to environmental stress, our proposed electrochemical approach offers a promising alternative. The characterisation analyses, involving microscopic and spectroscopic methods, reveal that the nanocomposite exhibits a crystalline structure, specific atomic vibrational patterns, a cubic surface shape, and distinct elemental compositions. This sensor demonstrates exceptional detection capabilities for P. aeruginosa, with a linear range of 1-23 CFU mL-1 and a low detection limit of 4.0 × 10-3 CFU mL-1. This research not only explores novel electrochemical techniques and the CoFe2O4/AgNPs nanocomposite but also their practical implications in food science, highlighting their relevance across various food samples, water, and soil.