Search

Herein, the ferrocene redox indicator-based surface film characteristics of spinel lithium manganese oxide (LMO) were evaluated. The pre-cycling of spinel LMO generated a film on the LMO surface. The surface film deposited on LMO surface suppresses further electrolyte decomposition, while the penetration of approximately 0.7 nm-sized redox indicator is not prevented. The facile self-discharge of LMO and regeneration current from the ferrocenium molecule was observed from the redox indicator in a specifically designed four-electrode cell. From this electrochemical behavior, a small-sized HF molecule attack on the LMO surface through a carbonate-based electrolyte-derived film is defined; hence, the prevention of small-sized molecules into the deposited surface film is crucial for the enhancement of LiMn2O4-based lithium-ion batteries.

A 5′ amine group-linked haemagglutinin (HA) gene-specific probe was attached over the surface of a working electrode to develop a rapid, specific, and sensitive point of care detection assay for H1N1 (swine flu) in human respiratory nasal swabs. The probe was attached with a cysteine covered screen-printed gold electrode via 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS). The electrochemical assay was performed using differential pulse voltammetry with the use of the redox indicator methylene blue for the detection of different concentrations of the single-stranded viral genome. The developed genosensor showed high sensitivity for H1N1 influenza virus with a detection limit of 0.002 ng/6 μL of viral nucleic acid in the sample. Samples were analysed by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction as well as by conventional PCR. The genosensor showed high specificity, as no cross-reaction was observed with the heterologous nucleic acid of different pathogens (Salmonella typhi, Neisseria meningitides, and Streptococcus pyogenes) and human DNA, and it was specific for H1N1 with a sensitivity of ∼49 μA cm−2 ng-1. Genosensor is based on a very simple methodology that can be followed based on its easy-to-access approach. It is quick and could be used as a point-of-care test for the detection of influenza virus within 30 min.

In this work, we were inspired from the role of chelation of Fe3+–catechol in inter-protein interactions and the production of adhesives by marine mussels, and used dopamine (DA) as an anchor to connect the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) to Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle cores via the formation of Fe(OH)3 shells. Because of the tendency of catechol and similar ligands such as DA to coordinate with the Fe3+ surface sites, a tight binding of DA to the Fe3O4–Fe(OH)3 core–shell was easily accomplished. Accordingly, we formulated an Fe3+–polyDA framework to encapsulate GOx; we specifically produced Fe3O4–Fe(OH)3@GOx–polyDA by carrying out an in situ polymerization of DA covalently linked to GOx on the Fe(OH)3 shells of magnetic nanoparticles. The Fe3+–polyDA framework stabilized the structure of the encapsulated GOx layer and increased its thermal stability, operational stability and recyclability, while preserving its activity. The prepared Fe3O4–Fe(OH)3@GOx–polyDA probe displaying enzyme-like characteristics was used as a multifunctional platform in a sensitive and selective spectrophotometric biosensor, with N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulfate (DPD) as a redox indicator, for sub-micromolar detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose via an enzymatic cascade reaction.

Identification of pathogens and diagnosis of infections are imperative health challenges, mainly in the case of fastidious bacteria that are hard to grow. DNA-based biosensors, including gene chips, are of major interest due to their tremendous promise for detecting diseases and obtaining sequence-specific information in a faster, simpler and cost-effective manner compared to the traditional hybridization techniques. In this study, an innovative conductive nano-ink based on graphite/silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was synthesized and applied towards electroanalytical biosensing of bacteria genome. The prepared nano-ink was drop-casted on the glassy-surface carbon electrode and used for the bioassay of L. pneumophila in real samples obtained from humans. Furthermore, toluidine blue was used as a redox indicator for monitoring the nucleic acid hybridization. So, a conductive ink-based biosensor for the electroanalytical biosensing of L. pneumophila mip gene was constructed by a simple and cost-benefit method. Chronoamperometry technique was applied for the electroanalytical investigation at optimum conditions. The obtained results showed that the proposed nano-ink had excellent conductivity towards electrode modification and sensor construction. Therefore, the proposed interface was applied to DNA hybridization in which toluidine blue was used as a redox hybridization indicator. In addition, the fabricated biosensor showed excellent sensitivity and good selectivity to the one-base and three-base mismatched ssDNA. The acquired results verified that in the ideal conditions, the linear range was 1 μM to 1 ZM and the low limit of quantification was 1 ZM. Finally, graphite–carbon based geno-ink was produced and used for the sensing of target DNA. Consequently, it is apparent that carbon–silver nanoparticles as a novel conductive nano-ink is an ideal material for electrode modification.

The interpretation of local redox indicators in marine sediments relies on their preservation. By their nature, such biogeochemical tracers are susceptible to diagenetic alteration, particularly through post-depositional re-oxidation of the sediment. This can result in the mobilization and loss of distinctive redox dependant signatures, leading to the classical problem that the presence of oxygenated conditions cannot be robustly inferred by the absence of evidence for anoxia. Authigenic uranium enrichments, and their isotope signatures (δ238U), are widely used to infer bottom-water and pore-water redox conditions but are susceptible to later oxidative diagenetic disturbance. Here we explore the preservation of authigenic δ238U signatures in sediment samples from Sapropel S1 at Site 64PE406-E1 in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (~1760 m water depth), which was originally deposited under reducing conditions but severely affected by later oxidative diagenesis and the variable loss of authigenic U(IV) from the upper sapropel. To this end, we compare U isotope signatures from bulk measurements (δ238Ubulk) with detrital corrected authigenic U (δ238Uauth) and carbonate associated U (δ238UCAU). In contrast to open ocean carbonates deposited under fully oxic conditions, sapropelic carbonate leachates yield δ238UCAU similar to calculated δ238Uauth, thus recording (predominantly) redox dependant isotope fractionation. There is no evidence for significant isotope fractionation resulting from post-depositional oxidative diagenesis, but associated authigenic U(IV) removal results in larger relative detrital contributions to δ238Ubulk, and hence large uncertainties on δ238Uauth estimates. By contrast, δ238UCAU successfully avoids detrital phases, and the uncertainty associated with detrital corrections, providing a primary record of changes in local redox conditions. Thus, we propose that δ238UCAU can be used for accurate reconstructions of benthic de-oxygenation in sediments with low U enrichments, including sediments with post-depositional U(IV) loss and less reducing environments., Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 311, ISSN:0016-7037, ISSN:1872-9533

The aim of this research was to test the potential of applying a flow cytometric procedure to evaluate the impact of concrete compounds’ release to the freshwater microbiome. Cells from the collected samples were stained with a fluorogenic redox indicator dye that measures the redox potential of microbial cells. This novel approach was combined with the assessment of microorganisms’ penetration into the internal structures of concrete using the Rose Bengal sodium salt staining. Rose Bengal staining revealed an intense fouling of the upper and side walls of the concrete cubes and also indicated the penetration of microorganisms inside the concrete as observed for the cubes’ cross-sections. Flow cytometric cellular redox potential measurement revealed high percentages of active cells within the concrete’s porous structures and in non-exposed water (32.7% and 30.2% of active cells) versus samples from exposed water and concrete’s outer surfaces (6.8%, 6.1%, and 3.3% of active cells). The results demonstrated a detrimental impact of hydro-technical concrete on the vitality of microbial cells within the freshwater environment. Tested protocol by analyzing the physiology of microbial cells improved the functional description of complex communities to evaluate the fate of contaminants present in the concrete-based hydro-technical infrastructure.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is an important biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer. This work aimed to develop an aptasensor to detect HER2 in human serum. HER2 aptamer was immobilized by electrostatic adsorption on the surface of a homemade screen-printed electrode modified with poly-L-lysine. Measurements were made by differential pulse voltammetry using methylene blue as a redox indicator. A calibration curve was constructed (R2 = 0.997) using different concentrations of HER2 protein (10-60 ng/mL) in PBS buffer (pH 7.4), with a detection limit of 3.0 ng/mL. The aptasensor showed good reproducibility with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3% and remained stable for 3 days with an RSD around 2%. When the tests were performed with serum from a healthy woman, a peak of 6.72 μA was found without the addition of the protein. When we tested the serum of a woman with HER2+ breast cancer, we obtained a signal of 2.65 μA; the same pattern was found when adding to protein in serum control, i.e., the higher the concentration of protein, the lower the signal. The aptasensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), showing excellent interaction between aptamer and target protein. The results revealed a promising and sensitive tool capable of detecting HER2 protein in human serum with albumin depletion, aiding in the molecular diagnosis of breast cancer. Graphical abstract.

In this study, a simple and lable-free voltammetric immunosensor was successfully developed for the ultrasensitive detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA). To do this, multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/L-histidine functionalized reduced graphene oxide (His-rGO) was demonstrated as a bifunctional nanoplatform for covalently attaching thionine redox indicator and anti-PSA antibody (Ab). The MWCNT enhanced electrical conductivity and facilitated the electron transfer between thionine and the glassy carbon electrode. While, the presence of anti-PSA antibody blocked the electron transfer of thionine and decreased redox signals. The principle response of proposed immunosensor was based on the selective interaction of PSA with thionine-NH2-GO−COOH-Ab. This selective interaction led to further decrease of response current of attached electrochemical probe. The liner calibration curve for tumor marker determination was 10 fg mL−1–20 ng mL−1 (R2 = 0.996). Under optimized conditions, the immunosensor was able to selectively detect PSA with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.8 fg mL−1 at 3σ. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for single-electrode repeatability and electrode-to-electrode reproducibility were less than 2.9% and 5.7% (n = 5), respectively. Furthermore, the as-proposed immunosensor showed excellent performance in detection of PSA in the human serum and saliva samples, which implies that the current strategy has a promising feature for the clinical assessment of tumor marker status in patients with prostate cancer.

Methylene blue (MB) is a dye widely used as an optical redox indicator in analytical chemistry, whose color change is also affected by pH. It was irreversibly adsorbed on polymeric carbon nitride (g-C3N4) prepared either from urea or from melamine cyanurate. Electron spin resonance (ESR) showed an increase in radicals or unpaired electrons in the MB-g-C3N4 system in comparison to pure g-C3N4. Upon treatment with potassium hydroxide, an abrupt color change from blue to purple occurred, together with a decrease in the ESR signal. Exposure to air caused a shift to the initial blue color, and, as suggested by UV-Vis spectroscopy data, the system returned to its original state, before the treatment with alkali. This behavior suggests the suitability of the MB-g-C3N4 system as a promising reusable sensor for the detection of exposure to air (and/or to carbon dioxide) of products stored under vacuum or in a controlled atmosphere. Thus, visual indicators based on this material may find applications as cost-effective leakage indicators for the modified atmosphere package (MAPs) industry, in particular to assess food safety or for electronic packaging.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as the promising molecular biomarkers for early diagnosis and enhanced understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of cancers as well as certain diseases. Here, a facile, label-free, and amplification-free electrochemical biosensor was developed to detect miRNA by using DNA origami nanostructure-supported DNA probes, with methylene blue (MB) serving as the hybridization redox indicator, for the first time. Specifically, the use of cross-shaped DNA origami nanostructures containing multiple single-stranded DNA probes at preselected locations on each DNA nanostructure could increase the accessibility and the recognition efficiency of the probes (due to the rational controlled density of DNA probes). The successful immobilization of DNA origami probes and their hybridization with targeted miRNA-21 molecules was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry methods. A differential pulse voltammetry technique was employed to record the oxidation peak current of MB before and after target hybridization. The linear detection range of this biosensor was from 0.1 pM to 10.0 nM, with a lower detection limit of 79.8 fM. The selectivity of the miRNA biosensor was also studied by observing the discrimination ability of single-base mismatched sequences. Because of the larger surface area and unprecedented customizability of DNA origami nanostructures, this strategy demonstrated great potential for sensitive, selective, and label-free determination of miRNA for translational biomedical research and clinical applications.

In this study, an electrochemical sensor toward mercury ion was developed. As the sensing material directly-thiolated graphene (G-SH) was used. After the graphene synthesis and its characterization (elemental analysis, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy), the best measurement conditions were chosen and working parameters of the sensor were evaluated. The G-SH thin film was formed on the glassy carbon electrode surface by drop-casting. Mercury ion concentration was determined with the use of voltammetric techniques by comparison of current change of redox indicator hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride. As was found, the sensor response is strictly dependent on the G-SH amount deposited at the electrode surface and the pH of the sample. The prepared sensor demonstrated linear response within the range of 5 × 10−9 to 5 × 10−7 mol L−1 and high selectivity towards Hg(II) ion over other examined cations (e.g. Sr2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Pb2+, Mg2+ and for Ca2+).

Herein, an electrochemical aptasensor is described for detection of ampicillin (Ampi). The sensing strategy is based on the application of a ladder-shaped DNA structure as a multi-layer physical block on the surface of gold electrode. Attributing to the electrostatic repulsion and physical prevention of the ladder-shaped DNA structure, ultrasensitive detection of Ampi was achieved with a detection limit as low as 1 pM. In the presence of Ampi, the ladder-shaped DNA structure is disassembled and detached from the electrode surface. This leads to the high access of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- as a redox indicator to the electrode surface and a strong redox peak. The aptasensor response for Ampi detection was in the linear range from 7 pM to 100 nM with the detection limit of 1 pM. The presented analytical strategy showed its application in detecting Ampi in the spiked milk samples with satisfactory performance. This work can be easily expanded for different targets by alternating the corresponding aptamers.

2,3,5-Triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride (TPT) has been proposed as a redox indicator for determination of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) which is used as a rocket propellant. It has been found that TPT is a sensitive chromogenic reagent due to its potentiometric and spectral characteristics. Products of the reaction between DMH and TPT have been characterized by mass spectrometry and EPR spectroscopy. In the EPR studies, C,N-diphenylnitrone (DPN) has been used as the radical trap and the obtained data indicate the radical nature of the reaction. The EPR spectrum of a mixture containing DPN and DMH has been recorded and calculated, whereas the spectrum of a three-component mixture containing DPN, TPT, and DMH is measured but it is complex for interpretation. A passive chemical dosimeter as a paper indicator strip with a polymer substrate impregnated with TPT has been manufactured and tested for continuous monitoring and determination of DMH in air in out-of-laboratory conditions at a concentration as low as 0.006 mg/m3 (warehouse operation area) and 0.5 mg/m3 (a warehouse box).

We fabricate a novel electrochemical biosensor based on the specific thymine-Hg2+-thymine (T-Hg2+-T) base pair for the highly sensitive detection of mercury ions (Hg2+) and utilize toluidine blue (TB) as a redox indicator that is combined with a hybridization chain reaction (HCR) for signal amplification. The dandelion-like CuO (D-CuO) microspheres that were assembled using Au nanoparticles were first introduced as support materials, which produced more active sites for the thiolated probe (P1) combination. Then, the presence of Hg2+ induced P1 to hybridize with the other oligonucleotide (P2) through Hg2+-mediated T-Hg2+-T complexes. In addition, the partial sequence of P2 acted as an initiator sequence, which led the two hairpin DNA (H1 and H2) strands to collectively form the extended double-strand DNA through the HCR process on the electrode surface. TB was employed to interact with the double strands and produce an efficient electrochemical signal. The proposed strategy combined the amplification of the HCR and the inherent redox activity of TB and utilized D-CuO/Au composites, which exhibited high sensitivity for Hg2+ determination. Under the optimum conditions, the proposed biosensor showed a prominent response for Hg2+, including a linear range from 1 pM to 100 nM and a detection limit of 0.2 pM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the new biosensor proved its potential application for trace Hg2+ determination in environmental water samples.

Herein, a novel magnetic biocomposite (Fe3O4@Au-S1/S2) was applied to analyze thrombin. The Fe3O4@Au-S1/S2 consisted of Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Au NPs) as carriers for magnetic separation and magnetic field-induced self-assembly, thiolated complementary strand (S1) anchored based on Au-S bond and thrombin binding aptamer (S2) as a recognition element. As a redox indicator, methylene blue (MB) can be adsorbed to DNA anchored on the surface of Fe3O4@Au NPs by electro-static interaction. In the absence of thrombin, MB were adsorbed on double-stranded DNA (S1/S2) which anchored on Fe3O4@Au NPs and a high electrochemical signal of MB was recorded by Differential pulse voltammetry. Conversely, the complementary strand (S1) exposed after thrombin competitively bonded with aptamer. The introduction of Pb2+-dependent DNAzyme (S3) split S1 at specific rA site, resulting in the significantly decreased adsorption capacity of MB. Thus, the thrombin detection could be recorded by monitoring the electrochemical signal reduction of MB through incubation of thrombin with S3. This method exhibited a high sensitivity toward thrombin with a broad linear range from 5 pmol L−1 to 5 nmol L−1 and a limit of detection of 1.8 pmol L−1.

In this study, a simple, robust, label-free electrochemical biosensor based on the ligase chain reaction (LCR) was developed for the highly sensitive and selective detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using Fe(CN)63−/Fe(CN)64− as a redox indicator. High sensitivity and specificity were achieved by using the LCR, which employs a thermostable and single-base discerning Hifi Taq DNA ligase to repeatedly ligate adjacently hybridized LCR-specific probes during thermal cycles, resulting in the highly specific exponential amplification of DNA targets. The electrochemical signal of the biosensor was further decreased using stem-loop probe DNA (SL-DNA), which specifically hybridized with LCR products on the electrodes. The linear dynamic range and high sensitivity of the mutant DNA (MutDNA) and wild-type DNA (WtDNA) LCR-based electrochemical biosensors for the detection of MutDNA and WtDNA were studied in vitro, with a broad linear dynamic range of 10 aM to 10 pM and detection limits of 1.18 aM and 0.35 aM, respectively. In addition, the MutDNA and WtDNA LCR-based electrochemical biosensors were able to accurately detect allele frequency changes as low as 0.1%. In summary, the developed LCR-based electrochemical biosensor provides a useful platform to monitor SNPs in a highly sensitive and specific manner.

An aptasensor based on the aptamer of lead(II) ions and the composites of Au nanoparticles and polypyrrole (Au@Py) was successfully fabricated. An Au@Py modified screen-printed electrode surface was employed to amplify the current signal. Complementary strands were successfully immobilized on the electrodes to combine with aptamers. The aptasensor with toluidine blue served as a redox indicator which was confirmed by electrochemical cyclic voltammetry methods as well as the differential pulse voltammetry technique in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4). Under optimal conditions, Pb2+ was detected in the range of 0.5–25 ppb with a low detection limit of 0.6 ppb (S/N = 3). Moreover, this electrochemical aptasensor was successfully applied to detect Pb2+ in soil. This electrochemical aptasensor exhibited satisfactory reproducibility, and is considered to possess great potential in developing an environmental monitoring platform.

A suite of oils and bitumens from the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es) in the Dongying Depression, East China was geochemically characterized to illustrate the impact of source input and redox conditions on the distributions of pentacyclic terpanes. The fourth member (Es4) developed under highly reducing, sulfidic hypersaline conditions, while the third member (Es3) formed under dysoxic, brackish to freshwater conditions. Oils derived from Es4 are enriched in C32 homohopanes (C32H), while those from Es3 are prominently enriched in C31 homohopanes (C31H). The C32H/C31H ratio shows positive correlation with homohopane index (HHI), gammacerane index (G/C30H), and negative correlation with pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratio, and can be used to evaluate oxic/anoxic conditions during deposition and diagenesis. High C32H/C31H ratio (> 0.8) is an important characteristic of oils derived from sulfidic, hypersaline anoxic environments, while low values (32H/C31H ratios (32H/C31H ratio as redox condition proxy compared to the HHI and gammacerane indexes are wider valid maturity range, less sensitive to biodegradation influence and better differentiation of reducing from oxic environments. Preferential cracking of C35-homohopanes leads HHI to be valid in a narrow maturity range before peak oil generation. No C35 homohopane can be reliably detected in the Es4 bitumens when vitrinite reflectance is > 0.75%, which explains the rare occurrence of high HHI values in Es4 source rocks. Gammacerane is thermally more stable and biologically more refractory than C30 hopane, leading G/C30H ratio more sensitive to maturation and biodegradation than C32H/C31H ratio. Meanwhile, both HHI and gammacerane index cannot differentiate level of oxidation. The C32H/C31H ratio can be applied globally as a novel redox proxy in addition to the Dongying Depression.

Signal amplification is very important for electrochemical immunoassays. We report an enzyme-free electrochemical immunosensor based on an electrochemical-chemical-chemical (ECC) redox cycle advanced (RCA) signal amplification strategy for the ultrasensitive detection of Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). In this scheme, CeO2/Au NPs@SiO2 is connected with ferrocene as the redox indicator, and the detection buffer is composed of the reducing agent hydroquinone (HQ) and tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP). First, ferrocenecarboxylic acid (FcA) is oxidized to FcA+ on the electrode. Then, HQ reduces FcA+ to FcA to trigger the cyclic reaction of the inner ring. Second, the oxidation product of HQ is catalyzed by TCEP. The product is reduced to HQ again to complete the cyclic reaction of the outer ring, so the entire cyclic reaction forms a closed loop. The system realizes the high-efficiency regeneration of the electroactive material Fc, thereby ensuring the full amplification of the electrical signal. The results show that the immunosensor exhibits good analytical performance, the detection range is 0.01 pg/mL-80 ng/mL, the detection limit is 0.0037 pg/mL, and the immunosensor has excellent selectivity and stability and performs well in the detection of actual samples. This strategy provides a new method for the early screening of CEA.

Inkjet printing of electrochemical sensors using a highly loaded mildly edge‐oxidized graphene nanosheet (EOGN) ink is presented. An ink with 30 mg/mL EOGNs is formulated in a mixture of N‐methyl pyrrolidone and propylene glycol with only 30 min of sonication. The absence of additives, such as polymeric stabilizers or surfactants, circumvents reduced electrochemical activity of coated particles and avoids harsh post‐printing conditions for additive removal. A single light pulse from a xenon flash lamp dries the printed EGON film within a fraction of a second and creates a compact electrode surface. An accurate coverage with only 30.4 μg of EOGNs per printed layer and cm2 is achieved. The EOGN films adhere well to flexible polyimide substrates in aqueous solution. Electrochemical measurements were performed using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. An all inkjet‐printed three‐electrode living bacterial cell detector is prepared with EOGN working and counter electrodes and silver‐based quasi‐reference electrode. The presence of E. coli in liquid samples is recorded with four electroactive metabolic activity indicators.

Mercury is a common ingredient found in skin lightening soaps, creams, and makeup-cleansing products. It may cause skin rashes, skin discolouration, and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections. By looking at this scenario, developing a sensor that involved a simple procedure and fasts for real-time detection without affecting mercury sensitivity is urgently needed. For that reason, a fast and sensitive electrochemical method was developed to determine mercury in cosmetic products with the composition of polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/gold nanoparticles/indium tin oxide sheet using methylene blue as a redox indicator. The significantly enhanced electrochemical performance was observed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). In order to detect mercury qualitatively and quantitatively, deposition potential and deposition time were respectively optimised to be 0.10 V and 70 s. The modified sensor was revealed a wide detection range of mercury from 0.01 to 10.00 ppm with a limit of detection of 0.08 ppm. The modified sensor towards mercury with a correlation coefficient (r2) was of 0.9948. Multiple cycling, reproducibility, and consistency of different modified sensors were investigated to verify the modified sensor’s performance. The developed sensing platform was highly selective toward mercury among the pool of possible interferents, and the stability of the developed sensor was ensured for at least 21 days after 10 repeated uses. The proposed method is a fast and simple procedure technique for analysing the mercury levels in cosmetic products.

It is very important to develop a rapid, simple, low cost point-of-care (POC) method for the early diagnosis of pathogens. In this work, a flexible paper-based electrode based on nickel metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF) composite/Au nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes/polyvinyl alcohol (Ni–Au composite/CNT/PVA) was constructed to detect target human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA by DNA hybridization using methylene blue (MB) as a redox indicator. The CNT/PVA and Ni–Au composite were deposited on the cellulose membrane by vacuum filtration and drop-coating method in turn to obtain Ni–Au composite/CNT/PVA (CCP) film electrode. Compared to the CNT/PVA film electrode, CCP film electrode makes a higher loading of the probe DNA for its large specific surface area and conjugated π-electron system that can provide hydrogen bond sources to achieve interactions between MOF and single-stranded DNA, which improves the sensitivity for detecting target DNA. The variation of peak current for MB molecules adsorbed onto DNA before and after hybridization with HIV DNA was monitored. Electrochemical results proved that the CCP film maintained stable electrochemical property even after bending 200 times or stretching under different strains from 0% to 20%. The flexible paper electrode showed excellent sensing performance with a linear range of 10 nM–1 μM and a low detection limit of 0.13 nM. The target HIV DNA was successfully detected even in complex serum samples using the flexible CCP film electrode. Therefore, the simple and inexpensive flexible paper-based MOF composite film electrode can also be utilized for other pathogens POC diagnosis.

Injection of microparticulate and nanoparticulate zero valent iron has become a regularly used method for groundwater remediation. Because of subsurface inhomogeneities, however, it is complicated to predict the ZVI transport in the subsurface, meaning that tools capable of determining its distribution after injection are highly useful. Here, we have developed a new direct-push based technique, which combines fluorescent and visible imaging, for detection of sulfidized nanoparticulate zero valent iron (S-nZVI) in the subsurface. Laboratory experiments show that the redox sensitive fluorophore riboflavin is rapidly reduced by S-nZVI within 200 s. Because the reduced riboflavin losses its green fluorescence, it can be used as S-nZVI sensitive indicator. Secondly, S-nZVI is black and tints light coloured sediment to a degree that allows detection in images. For quartz sand, 70 mg/kg of S-nZVI can be detected by visible imaging. Based on these results, a new direct-push probe (Dye-OIP) was designed based on Geoprobe's Optical Image Profiler (OIP), which was equipped with a fluorophore injection port below the OIP-unit. The injectant consisted of the redox active riboflavin mixed with the redox inactive fluorophore rhodamine WT, which fluoresces red and was used to verify that the mixture was indeed injected and detectable. Small scale experiments show that the fluorescence of this mixture in S-nZVI amended sand changes within 150 s from green with a hue of ~50 to red with a hue of ~30 when imaged with Dye-OIP. Tests of the Dye-OIP after a S-nZVI injection in a 1 m3 sized tank show that the tool could detect S-nZVI via fluorescence and visible imaging, when S-nZVI concentration was >0.2 mg per g dry sediment. Thus, these novel methods should be able to detect S-nZVI in the subsurface, without relying on infrastructure such as wells. Based on our results, the Dye-OIP could be further improved to make it suitable for regular use in the field.