Xi-Ming Song

Fabrication of polymeric ionic liquid/graphene nanocomposite for glucose oxidase immobilization and direct electrochemistry.

A novel polymeric ionic liquid functionalized graphene, poly(1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide)-graphene (denoted as poly(ViBuIm(+)Br(-))-G), was synthesized. FTIR, UV-vis spectra and TEM were used to characterize the formation of as synthesized nanocomposites. Due to the modification of the polymeric ionic liquid, poly(ViBuIm(+)Br(-))-G can not only be dispersed well in aqueous solutions to form a homogeneous colloidal suspension of individual nanosheets, but also exhibit a strong positive charge. Based on self-assembly, the negatively charged glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized onto the poly(ViBuIm(+)Br(-))-G to form a GOD/poly(ViBuIm(+)Br(-))-G/glassy carbon (GC) electrode under mild conditions. With the advantage of both poly(ViBuIm(+)Br(-)) and graphene, poly(ViBuIm(+)Br(-))-G can provide a favorable and conductive microenvironment for the immobilized GOD and thus promote their direct electron transfer at the GC electrode. Furthermore, the GOD/poly(ViBuIm(+)Br(-))-G/GC electrode displayed an excellent sensitivity, together with a wide linear range and excellent stability for the detection of glucose. Accordingly, these unique properties of such novel nanocomposite generate a promising platform for the construction of mediator-free enzymatic biosensors.

Fabrication of a Biocompatible and Conductive Platform Based on a Single‐Stranded DNA/Graphene Nanocomposite for Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis

A novel electrochemical platform was designed by combining the biocompatibility of single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) and the excellent conductivity of graphene (GP). This nanocomposite (denoted as ss-DNA/GP) was first used as an electrode material for the immobilization and biosensing of redox enzymes. On the basis of electrostatic interactions, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) self-assembled with ss-DNA/GP on the surface of a glassy carbon (GC) electrode to form an HRP/ss-DNA/GP/GC electrode. UV/Vis and FTIR spectra were used to monitor the assembly process and indicated that the immobilized HRP on the ss-DNA/GP matrix retained its native structure well. A pair of stable and well-defined redox peaks of HRP with a formal potential of about -0.26 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in a pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution were obtained at the HRP/ss-DNA/GP/GC electrode; this demonstrates direct electron transfer between the immobilized HRP and the electrode. In addition, the modified electrode showed good electrocatalytic performance towards H(2)O(2) with high sensitivity, wide linear range, and good stability. Accordingly, the ss-DNA/GP nanocomposite provides a novel and efficient platform for the immobilized redox enzyme to realize direct electrochemistry and has a promising application in the fabrication of third-generation electrochemical biosensors.

Poly(ionic liquids) functionalized polypyrrole/graphene oxide nanosheets for electrochemical sensor to detect dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid.

Novel poly(ionic liquids) functionalized polypyrrole/graphene oxide nanosheets (PILs/PPy/GO) were prepared by the polymerization of 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazole bromide (VEIB) on the surface of N-vinyl imidazolium modified PPy/GO nanosheets. Due to the synergistic effects of GO with well-defined lamellar structures, conductive PPy and biocompatible PILs, PILs/PPy/GO modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) presented the excellent electrochemical catalytic activity towards dopamine (DA) with good stability, high sensitivity and wide linear range in the present of ascorbic acid (AA) with high concentration. PILs played an essential role for the simultaneous determination of DA and AA in a mixture, whose existence effectively improved the transmission mode of electrons and resulted in the different electrocatalytic performance towards the oxidation of DA and AA. It is indicated that PILs/PPy/GO nanosheets can act as a good steady and sensitive electrode material for the development of improved DA sensors.

Fabrication of an electrochemical platform based on the self-assembly of graphene oxide-multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposite and horseradish peroxidase: direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis

A novel hybrid nanomaterial (GO-MWNTs) was explored based on the self-assembly of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and graphene oxide (GO). Compared with pristine MWNTs, such a nanocomposite could be well dispersed in aqueous solution and exhibit a negative charge. Driven by the electrostatic interaction, positively charged horseradish peroxidase (HRP) could then be immobilized onto GO-MWNTs at the surface of a glassy carbon (GC) electrode to form a HRP/GO-MWNT/GC electrode under mild conditions. TEM was used to characterize the morphology of the GO-MWNT nanocomposite. UV-vis and FTIR spectra suggested that HRP was immobilized onto the hybrid matrix without denaturation. Furthermore, the immobilized HRP showed enhanced direct electron transfer for the HRP-Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox center. Based on the direct electron transfer of the immobilized HRP, the HRP/GO-MWNT/GC electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic behavior to the reduction of H(2)O(2) and NaNO(2), respectively. Therefore, GO-MWNTs could provide a novel and efficient platform for the immobilization and biosensing of redox enzymes, and thus may find wide potential applications in the fabrication of biosensors, biomedical devices, and bioelectronics.

Synthesis of a tailored SrTiO3–TiO2 microspherical photocatalyst and its photogenerated charge properties

A series of SrTiO3–TiO2 microspheres with different porosities were prepared by a facile hydrothermal reaction method in the presence of Sr(OH)2 and titanium glycolate. The photogenerated charge separation and surface trapping process was studied by surface photovoltage (SPV) spectra and corresponding phase spectra. Compared with one-dimension nanowires, the SrTiO3–TiO2 microspheres show structural advantage in photocatalytic degradation under visible-light. The enhanced photocurrent of Rhodamine B (RhB) sensitized SrTiO3–TiO2 porous microspheres reveals that a photosensitization effect leads to the photodegradation process. According to the experimental results, these SrTiO3–TiO2 porous microspheres have great potential applications in photocatalytic decomposition or optoelectronic devices.

Preparation of poly(ionic liquids)-functionalized polypyrrole nanotubes and their electrocatalytic application to simultaneously determine dopamine and ascorbic acid

Novel poly(ionic liquids) functionalized polypyrrole nanotubes (PILs/PPyNTs) were successfully synthesized. 1-Vinyl-3-ethylimidazole bromide (VEIB) was polymerized on the surface of novel polymerizable vinyl imidazolium-type IL modified PPyNTs prepared by a covalent method. Due to the modification of PILs, the dispersibility of PILs/PPyNTs in aqueous solution was significantly improved and their surface charge properties were obviously changed to electropositivity. Because of the synergetic effects of conductive PPyNTs and biocompatible PILs, excellent electrochemical catalytic activities towards dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) were achieved using a PILs/PPyNTs modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE), which gave a large potential difference enough to well distinguish DA from AA, with excellent sensitivity and good stability, for the simultaneous detection of DA and AA. The existence of PILs effectively improved the transmission mode of electrons of DA and AA oxidation on the electrode and resulted in their different electrocatalytic performance.

Influence of Surface States on the Evaluation of the Flat Band Potential of TiO2

Flat band potential (Vfb) is one of the most important physical parameters to study and understand semiconductor materials. However, the influence of surface states on the evaluating Vfb of titanium oxide (TiO2) and other semiconductor materials through a Mott-Schottky plot is ignored. Our study indicated that the influence of surface states should be introduced into the corresponding equivalent circuit even when the kinetic process did not occur. Ignoring the influence of surface states would lead to an underestimation of the space charge capacitance. Our paper would be beneficial for accurate determination of Vfb of semiconductor materials. We anticipate that this preliminary study will open new perspectives in understanding the semiconductor-electrolyte interface.

Thermo/pH Dual Responsive Mixed-Shell Polymeric Micelles Based on the Complementary Multiple Hydrogen Bonds for Drug Delivery

Thermo/pH dual responsive mixed-shell polymeric micelles based on multiple hydrogen bonding were prepared by self-assembly of diaminotriazine-terminated poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (DAT-PCL), uracil-terminated methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG-U), and uracil-terminated poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL-U) at room temperature. PCL acted as the core and MPEG/PNVCL as the mixed shell. Increasing the temperature, PNVCL collapsed and enclosed the PCL core, while MPEG penetrated through the PNVCL shell, thereby leading to the formation of MPEG channels on the micelles surface. The low cytotoxicity of the mixed micelles was confirmed by an MTT assay against BGC-823 cells. Studies on the in vitro drug release showed that a much faster release rate was observed at pHu20055.0 compared to physiological pH, owing to the dissociation of hydrogen bonds. Therefore, the mixed-shell polymeric micelles would be very promising candidates in drug delivery systems.

Graphene oxide quantum dot-sensitized porous titanium dioxide microsphere: Visible-light-driven photocatalyst based on energy band engineering

We report a novel graphene oxide quantum dot (GOQD)-sensitized porous TiO2 microsphere for efficient photoelectric conversion. Electro-chemical analysis along with the Mott-Schottky equation reveals conductivity type and energy band structure of the two semiconductors. Based on their energy band structures, visible light-induced electrons can transfer from the p-type GOQD to the n-type TiO2. Enhanced photocurrent and photocatalytic activity in visible light further confirm the enhanced separation of electrons and holes in the nanocomposite.

Direct electrochemistry of cholesterol oxidase and biosensing of cholesterol based on PSS/polymeric ionic liquid–graphene nanocomposite

A novel graphene nanocomposite, functionalized by polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) and poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), was successfully prepared and exhibited excellent conductivity, favourable biocompatibility and good film-forming properties as an electrode material. TEM showed that the nanocomposite possessed an individual nanosheet-like structure. Owing to the surface modification of graphene, PSS/PILs–GP can not only be well dispersed in aqueous solution, but also possesses a strong negative charge. Due to electrostatic interactions, positively charged cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) can be immobilized onto the surface of PSS/PILs–GP to form the ChOx/PSS/PILs–GP/GC electrode material. UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to monitor the assembly process of the nanocomposite. Due to the conductivity and biocompatibility of PSS/PILs–GP, the immobilized ChOx exhibited enhanced direct electron transfer (DET) at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Furthermore, the ChOx/PSS/PILs–GP/GC electrode displayed excellent catalytic performance with a wide linear range of 10.5 × 10−6 to 10.4 × 10−3 mol L−1, and a low detection limit of 3.5 μmol L−1 for the detection of cholesterol.