Meng Xiong

Synthesis and characterization of ferrocene modified Fe3O4@Au magnetic nanoparticles and its application

A novel dopamine sensor was fabricated by forming the 6-ferrocenylhexanethiol (HS(CH(2))(6)Fc) functionalized Fe(3)O(4)@Au nanoparticles (NPs) films on the surface of a carbon paste electrode with the aid of a permanent magnet. HS(CH(2))(6)Fc, which acted as the redox mediator, was self-assembled to Fe(3)O(4)@Au NPs via Au-S bond. Transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the properties of the Fe(3)O(4)@Au NPs/HS(CH(2))(6)Fc nanocomposite. It is shown that the prepared ferrocene-functionalized Fe(3)O(4)@Au NPs composite shuttled electrons between analyte and electrode, increased the mediator loading, and more importantly prevented the leakage of the mediator during measurements, which resulted in the substantially enhanced stability and reproducibility of the modified electrode. The electrooxidation of dopamine could be catalyzed by Fc/Fc(+) couple as a mediator and had a higher electrochemical response due to the unique performance of Fe(3)O(4)@Au NPs. The nanocomposite modified electrode exhibited fast response (3 s) and the linear range was from 2.0x10(-6) to 9.2x10(-4) M with a detection limit of 0.64 microM. This immobilization approach effectively improved the stability of the electron transfer mediator and is promising for construction of other sensors and bioelectronic devices.

Glucose microfluidic biosensors based on reversible enzyme immobilization on photopatterned stimuli-responsive polymer

In this paper, we demonstrate a new strategy for replaceable enzymatic microreactor based on a switchable wettability interface of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm). PNIPAAm porous polymer monolith (PPM) with 3D macroporous framework is photopolymerized in glass microchip within 30 s. The PNIPAAm PPM not only shows its reversible swelling/shrinking property at the different temperature around the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), but also shows reversible hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity corresponding to its swelling/shrinking status. Based on these properties, a biocompatible and replaceable on-chip enzymatic microreactor has been successfully built by means of the reversible adsorption and release of glucose oxidase (GOx) on the robust and stable matrix. Coupled with a carbon fiber microelectrode as electrochemical detector, the microreactor has been successfully employed for detection of glucose with a linear range from 0.05 to 5 mM. This approach may provide a promising way for high efficient and renewable microreactors that will find wide application in clinical diagnosis, biochemical synthesis/analysis, and proteomic research.

Portable thermo-powered high-throughput visual electrochemiluminescence sensor.

This paper describes a portable thermo-powered high-throughput visual electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for the first time. This sensor is composed of a tiny power supply device based on thermal-electrical conversion and a facile prepared array electrode. The ECL detection could be conducted with thermo-power, which is easily accessible. For example, hot water, a bonfire, or a lighted candle enables the detection to be conducted. And the assay can be directly monitored by the naked eye semiquantitatively or smart phones quantitatively. Combined with transparent electrode and array microreactors, a portable high-throughput sensor was achieved. The portable device, avoiding the use of an electrochemical workstation to generate potential and a photomultiplier tube to receive the signal, is not only a valuable addition for traditional methods but also a suitable device for field operation or point-of-care testing.

In situ synthesis and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotube/Prussian blue nanocomposite materials and application.

An effective and facile in situ electroless deposition approach for the fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube-supported Prussian blue nanoparticle (MWNTs/PB NP) composite nanomaterials is demonstrated in this article. The coverage of PB NPs on MWNTs is tunable by varying the experimental parameters, such as the initial molar concentration of FeCl3 + K3[Fe(CN)6], the relative concentration of FeCl3 + K3[Fe(CN)6] to MWNTs, and the temperature and duration of the heat treatment. This method involves a simple mixing process followed by a mild heating process and does not need the exhaustive surface oxidation process of MWNTs. TEM, FTIR, UV, and XRD are all used to characterize the MWNTs/PB composite materials. In addition, the electrochemical behavior of PB and catalysis of the reduction of H2O2, are investigated. The novel method is expected to be applicable for preparation of other coordination polymer/MWNTs composites and finds use in applications for electronic nanodevices.

Remote Control of Reversible Localized Protein Adsorption in Microfluidic Devices

We present a facilely prepared graphene oxide (GO)/ poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) composite by dispersing nanosized GO in PDMS. On the basis of the combination of photothermal effects of GO and grafted thermoresponsive polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), an optical-driving approach for remote control of localized wettability is realized. And this method has been successfully applied in the spatially controlled reversible protein adsorption in microfluidic devices.