Xinxin Xiao

Non-enzymatic glucose sensors based on controllable nanoporous gold/copper oxide nanohybrids.

A kind of dealloyed nanoporous gold (NPG)/ultrathin CuO film nanohybrid for non-enzymatic glucose sensing has been prepared by a simple, in-situ, time-saving and controllable two-step electrodeposition. The three-dimensional and bicontinuous nanoporous structure of the nanocomposites have been characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the electrochemical tests have been estimated by cyclic voltammetry and single potential step chronoamperometry (SPSC). The optimal NPG/CuO electrode exhibits great electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation and also shows obvious linear response to glucose up to 12 mM with a high sensitivity of 374.0 µA cm(-2)mM(-1) and a good detection limit of 2.8 µM (S/N=3), as well as strong tolerance against chloride poisoning and interference of ascorbic acid and uric acid.

One-step fabrication of bio-functionalized nanoporous gold/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) hybrid electrodes for amperometric glucose sensing

We report a simple, one-step synthesis of hybrid film by electropolymerizing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) on nanoporous gold (NPG) for applications in amperometric glucose biosensors. The enzyme, glucose oxidase (GOx), is entrapped into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix, simultaneously. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies show the NPG preserve its original bicontinuous nanoporous structure and the PEDOT film grows uniformly with a thickness of ~10 nm. The modified electrodes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and single potential step chronoamperometry (SPSC). The influence of PEDOT films thickness has been explored to optimize sensor behaviors. Mediated by p-benzoquinone (BQ), the calibration curves have been obtained by applying relatively low constant potential of 200 mV (vs. SCE). The NPG/PEDOT/GOx (2CVs) biosensor exhibits high sensitivity of 7.3 μA mM(-1) cm(-2) and a wide linear range of 0.1-15 mM, making it suitable for reliable analytic applications.

An overview of dealloyed nanoporous gold in bioelectrochemistry.

Nanoporous gold (NPG) obtained via dealloying of Au alloys has potential applications in a range of fields, and in particular in bioelectrochemistry. NPG possesses a three dimensional bicontinuous network of interconnected pores with typical pore diameters of ca. 30-40 nm, features that are useful for the immobilisation of enzymes. This review describes the common routes of fabrication and characterization of NPG, the use of NPG as a support for oxidoreductases for applications in biosensors and biofuel cells together with recent progress in the use of NPG electrodes for applications in bioelectrochemistry.

Graphene encapsulated Fe3O4 nanorods assembled into a mesoporous hybrid composite used as a high-performance lithium-ion battery anode material

The discovery of new anode materials and engineering their fine structures are the core elements in the development of new-generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs). To this end, we herein report a novel nanostructured composite consisting of approximately 75% Fe3O4 nanorods and 25% reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Microscopy and spectroscopy analyses have identified that the Fe3O4 nanorods are wrapped (or encapsulated) by the rGO nanosheets via covalent bonding, which further self-assemble into a mesoporous hybrid composite networked by the graphene matrix. The composite has an average pore size around 20 nm and exhibits a high surface area of 152 m2 g−1, which is 76 times as high as that of conventional Fe3O4 powder. We have used the composite as an LIB anode material to fabricate coin-type prototype cells with lithium as the cathode. Systematic half-cell testing evaluations show that the electrochemical performance of the present composite material is amongst the best of the transition metal-oxide based LIB anode materials. The performances are characterized by a high reversible capacity of 1053 mA h g−1 subjected to 250 charge–discharge cycles at 500 mA g−1 and an excellent rate capability with the deliverable energy of 788–541 mA h g−1 upon the application of high current densities of 1000–5000 mA g−1. Overall, we have demonstrated that Fe3O4 nanorod–rGO hybrid composite is an interesting and promising material for the fabrication of LIB anodes.

Nanoporous Gold-Based Biofuel Cells on Contact Lenses

A lactate/O2 enzymatic biofuel cell (EBFC) was prepared as a potential power source for wearable microelectronic devices. Mechanically stable and flexible nanoporous gold (NPG) electrodes were prepared using an electrochemical dealloying method consisting of a pre-anodization process and a subsequent electrochemical cleaning step. Bioanodes were prepared by the electrodeposition of an Os polymer and Pediococcus sp. lactate oxidase onto the NPG electrode. The electrocatalytic response to lactate could be tuned by adjusting the deposition time. Bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria was covalently attached to a diazonium-modified NPG surface. A flexible EBFC was prepared by placing the electrodes between two commercially available contact lenses to avoid direct contact with the eye. When tested in air-equilibrated artificial tear solutions (3 mM lactate), a maximum power density of 1.7 ± 0.1 μW cm-2 and an open-circuit voltage of 380 ± 28 mV were obtained, values slightly lower than those obtained in phosphate buffer solution (2.4 ± 0.2 μW cm-2 and 455 ± 21 mV, respectively). The decrease was mainly attributed to interference from ascorbate. After 5.5 h of operation, the EBFC retained 20% of the initial power output.

An oxygen-independent and membrane-less glucose biobattery/supercapacitor hybrid device

Enzymatic biofuel cells can generate electricity directly from the chemical energy of biofuels in physiological fluids, but their power density is significantly limited by the performance of the cathode which is based on oxygen reduction for in vivo applications. An oxygen-independent and membrane-less glucose biobattery was prepared that consists of a dealloyed nanoporous gold (NPG) supported glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) bioanode, immobilised with the assistance of conductive polymer/Os redox polymer composites, and a solid-state NPG/MnO2 cathode. In a solution containing 10mM glucose, a maximum power density of 2.3µWcm-2 at 0.21V and an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.49V were registered as a biobattery. The potential of the discharged MnO2 could be recovered, enabling a proof-of-concept biobattery/supercapacitor hybrid device. The resulting device exhibited a stable performance for 50 cycles of self-recovery and galvanostatic discharge as a supercapacitor at 0.1mAcm-2 over a period of 25h. The device could be discharged at current densities up to 2mAcm-2 supplying a maximum instantaneous power density of 676 μW cm-2, which is 294 times higher than that from the biobattery alone. A mechanism for the recovery of the potential of the cathode, analogous to that of RuO2 (Electrochim. Acta 42(23), 3541-3552) is described.