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Electrochemical Devices (electrochemical + device)
Selected AbstractsStructured Nucleic Acid Probes for Electrochemical DevicesELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 19 2009Rebeca Miranda-Castro Abstract The use of nucleic acid with a specific sequence and a highly ordered secondary structure such as hairpins, quadruplexes and pseudoknots as biological recognition elements and switches in biosensors is rapidly increasing because of their improved features (e.g. selectivity) when compared with the traditional linear probes. Owing to the novelty, a critical outlook of their characteristics and a compilation of the latest advances are lacking. This article describes the potential of those nucleic acids probes whose molecular recognition ability relies on a conformational change (e.g. folding/unfolding mechanism) in electrochemical sensing. It provides an overview of the toolbox of assays using these probes for genosensors and aptasensors, highlighting its performance characteristics and the prospects and challenges for biosensor design. [source] Rational Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes Leading to Electrochemical Devices with Striking Applications,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 15 2008Jie Yan Abstract As one-dimensional carbon nanostructures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a member of the carbon family but they possess very different structural and electronic properties from other kinds of carbon materials frequently used in electrochemistry, such as glassy carbon, graphite, and diamond. Although the past decade has witnessed rapid and substantial progress in both the fundamental understanding of CNT-oriented electrochemistry and the development of various kinds of electrochemical devices with carbon nanotubes, the increasing demand from both academia and industry requires CNT-based electrochemical devices with vastly improved properties, such as good reliability and durability, and high performance. As we outline here, the smart functionalization of CNTs and effective methods for the preparation of devices would pave the way to CNT-based electronic devices with striking applications. [source] Electrochemical Sensing of ExplosivesELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 4 2007Joseph Wang Abstract This article reviews recent advances in electrochemical sensing and detection of explosive substances. Escalating threats of terrorist activities and growing environmental concerns have generated major demands for innovative field-deployable tools for detecting explosives in a fast, sensitive, reliable and simple manner. Field detection of explosive substances requires that a powerful analytical performance be coupled to miniaturized low-cost instrumentation. Electrochemical devices offer attractive opportunities for addressing the growing explosive sensing needs. The advantages of electrochemical systems include high sensitivity and selectivity, speed, a wide linear range, compatibility with modern microfabrication techniques, minimal space and power requirements, and low-cost instrumentation. The inherent electroactivity of nitroaromatic, nitramine and nitroester compounds makes them ideal candidates for electrochemical detection. Recent activity in various laboratories has led to the development of disposable sensor strips, novel electrode materials, submersible remote sensors, and electrochemical detectors for microchip (,Lab-on-Chip') devices for on-site electrochemical detection of explosive substances. The attractive behavior of these electrochemical monitoring systems makes them very promising for addressing major security and environmental problems. [source] Targeting Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents at the Molecular LevelELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 14 2003Omowunmi Abstract After the September,11 tragedies of 2001, scientists and law-enforcement agencies have shown increasing concern that terrorist organizations and their "rogue" foreign government-backers may resort to the use of chemical and/or biological agents against U.S. military or civilian targets. In addition to the right mix of policies, including security measures, intelligence gathering and training for medical personnel on how to recognize symptoms of biochemical warfare agents, the major success in combating terrorism lies in how best to respond to an attack using reliable analytical sensors. The public and regulatory agencies expect sensing methodologies and devices for homeland security to be very reliable. Quality data can only be generated by using analytical sensors that are validated and proven to be under strict design criteria, development and manufacturing controls. Electrochemical devices are ideally suited for obtaining the desired analytical information in a faster, simpler, and cheaper manner compared to traditional (lab-based) assays and hence for meeting the requirements of decentralized biodefense applications. This articler presents a review of the major trends in monitoring technologies for chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents. It focuses on research and development of sensors (particularly electrochemical ones), discusses how advances in molecular recognition might be used to design new multimission networked sensors (MULNETS) for homeland security. Decision flow-charts for choosing particular analytical techniques for CBW agents are presented. Finally, the paths to designing sensors to meet the needs of today's measurement criteria are analyzed. [source] Dual-asymmetry electrokinetic flow focusing for pre-concentration and analysis of catecholamines in CE electrochemical nanochannelsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 14 2009Ren-Guei Wu Abstract In this research, a technique incorporating dual-asymmetry electrokinetic flow (DAEKF) was applied to a nanoCE electrochemical device for the pre-concentration and detection of catecholamines. The DAEKF was constructed by first generating a ,-potential difference between the top and bottom walls, which had been pre-treated with O2 and H2O surface plasma, respectively, yielding a 2-D gradient shear flow across the channel depth. The shear flow was then exposed to a varying ,-potential along the downstream direction by control of the field-effect in order to cause downward rotational flow in the channel. By this mechanism, almost all of the samples were effectively brought down to the electrode surface for analysis. Simulations were carried out to reveal the mechanism of concentration caused by the DAEKF, and the results reasonably describe our experiment findings. This DAEKF technique was applied to a glass/glass CE electrochemical nanochip for the analysis of catecholamines. The optimum detection limit was determined to be 1.25 and 3.3,nM of dopamine and catechol, respectively. A detection limit at the zeptomole level for dopamine can be obtained in this device, which is close to the level released by a single neuron cell in vitro. [source] Multilayer Assembly of Hemoglobin and Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles on Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes/Chitosan Composite for Detecting Hydrogen PeroxideELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 19 2008Shihong Chen Abstract Chitosan (CS) was chosen for dispersing multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to form a stable CS-MWNTs composite, which was first coated on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode to provide a containing amino groups interface for assembling colloidal gold nanoparticles (GNPs), followed by the adsorption of hemoglobin (Hb). Repeating the assembly step of GNPs and Hb resulted in {Hb/GNPs}n multilayers. The assembly of GNPs onto CS-MWNTs composites was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The consecutive growth of {Hb/GNPs}n multilayers was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The resulting system brings a new platform for electrochemical devices by using the synergistic action of the electrocatalytic activity of GNPs and MWNTs. The resulting biosensor displays an excellent electrocatalytic activity and rapid response for hydrogen peroxide. The linear range for the determination of H2O2 was from 5.0×10,7 to 2.0×10,3 M with a detection limit of 2.1×10,7 M at 3, and a Michaelis,Menten constant KMapp value of 0.19,mM. [source] Fabrication and Application of a Novel Modified Electrode Based on Multiwalled Nanotubes/Cerium(III) 12-Tungstophosphoric Acid NanocompositeELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 11 2008Bin Fang Abstract A novel multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs)/Cerium(III) 12 - tungstophosphoric acid (CePW) nanocomposite film glassy carbon electrode was prepared in this paper. Electrochemical behaviors of the CePW/MWNTs modified electrode were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). This modified electrode brought new capabilities for electrochemical devices by combining the advantages of carbon nanotubes, rare-earth, and heteropoly-acids. The results demonstrated that the CePW/MWNTs modified electrode exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic behavior and good stability for the detection of guanine and adenine in 0.1,M PBS (pH,7.0). The experimental parameters were optimized and a direct electrochemical method for the simultaneous determination of guanine and adenine was proposed. The detection limit (S/N=3) for guanine and adenine was 2.0×10,8,M and 3.0×10,8,M, respectively. Further, the acid-denatured calf thymus DNA was also detected and the result was satisfied. [source] Design and adaptation of miniaturized electrochemical devices integrating carbon nanotube-based sensors to commercial CE equipmentELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 19 2009Alberto Sánchez Arribas Abstract The design of new electrochemical devices integrating carbon nanotube sensors and their adaptation to commercial CE equipments are described. One of these designs was made for using commercial screen-printed electrodes, whereas the second was projected for coupling commercial glassy carbon electrodes. The electrochemical characterization of these devices revealed that their hydrodynamic behaviour is strongly influenced by the electrode modification with multi-wall carbon nanotubes that provided faster and/or more sensitive signals. The analytical applicability of these devices was illustrated for the CZE separation of chlorinated phenols and the MEKC separation of endocrine disruptors, where the use of carbon nanotube sensors has proved to be advantageous when compared with unmodified ones, with good electrocatalytic properties combined with acceptable background currents and a remarkable resistance to passivation. [source] 1D and 3D Ionic Liquid,Aluminum Hydroxide Hybrids Prepared via an Ionothermal Process,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2007S. Park Abstract Room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are used as hierarchically multifunctional components by employing them not only as templates and co-solvents for fabricating nanostructured materials but also proton conductors for electrochemical devices. RTIL/aluminum hydroxide (RTIL,Al) hybrids containing various nanometer-sized shapes, including 1D nanorods with hexagonal tips, straight and curved nanofibers, nanofibers embedded in a porous network, and 3D octahedral-, polyhedral-, and angular spherical shapes are synthesized via a one-pot ionothermal process. The structures or shapes of the RTIL,Al hybrids are related to the anionic moieties, alkyl chain length of the RTILs, and the humidity during fabrication. In particular, the introduction of water molecules into the interface led to 3D isotropic growth of the hybrids by influencing intermolecular interactions between the RTILs and the building blocks. The shapes of the nanohybrids fabricated from RTILs containing short alkyl chains were dependent on the types of anions and on the level of humidity. These results indicate that the cooperative interactions between RTILs and aluminum hydroxides induces emerging shape-controlled hybrids. The shape-controlled nanohybrids show enhanced electrochemical properties compared to those of a conventional hybrid prepared by mixing RTILs and aluminum hydroxides, exhibiting tenfold or higher proton conductivity under anhydrous condition and thermal stability as a result of the continuous proton conduction channel and the one-pot-assembled nanoconfinement. This method is expected to be a useful technique for controlling the diverse shapes of nanometer-sized crystalline inorganic materials for a variety of applications, such as fuel cells, solar cells, rechargeable batteries, and biosensors. [source] The Inlaid Al2O3 Tunnel Switch for Ultrathin Ferroelectric FilmsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 28 2009An Quan Jiang Ferroelectric switching in ultrathin Al2O3/PZT bilayers is studied and used to modulate the applied electric field, allowing the development of novel applications of the combined dielectric tunnel switch/ferroelectric functional layer that can assist in the development of completely new types of electronic, electromechanical, and electrochemical devices. [source] Rational Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes Leading to Electrochemical Devices with Striking Applications,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 15 2008Jie Yan Abstract As one-dimensional carbon nanostructures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a member of the carbon family but they possess very different structural and electronic properties from other kinds of carbon materials frequently used in electrochemistry, such as glassy carbon, graphite, and diamond. Although the past decade has witnessed rapid and substantial progress in both the fundamental understanding of CNT-oriented electrochemistry and the development of various kinds of electrochemical devices with carbon nanotubes, the increasing demand from both academia and industry requires CNT-based electrochemical devices with vastly improved properties, such as good reliability and durability, and high performance. As we outline here, the smart functionalization of CNTs and effective methods for the preparation of devices would pave the way to CNT-based electronic devices with striking applications. [source] Recent advances in microdevices for electrochemical energy conversion and storageINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 6-7 2007Gerardo Jose La O' Abstract The application of silicon microfabrication technologies to electrochemical devices allows reduction of overall device package to potentially increase volumetric power densities. This review first focuses on some exciting developments in microfuel cells, in particular, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The emphasis is given to innovative 2D processing methods, novel 2D architectures of microfuel cells, and demonstrated performance in terms of area power densities. Emerging 3D fabrication techniques that are potentially promising to produce 3D electrochemical devices such as 3D cell and stack architectures on the micrometer scale will then be discussed. Lastly this paper highlights some new opportunities in electrode kinetics studies enabled by microfabricated devices,investigation of scaling relationship between microelectrodes and electrochemical responses, which has led to improved fundamental understanding of electrode reactions and rate-limiting steps. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Coating and near-surface modification design strategies for protective and functional surfacesMATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 11 2005M.P. Brady Abstract This paper discusses strategies for controlling the surface chemistry and microstructure of materials to form protective and functional surfaces through controlled gas-metal reactions. Potential applications range from oxidation, corrosion, and wear resistance to electrochemical devices such as fuel cells to catalysts. Phenomenological examples are presented for coatings designed to self-grade under oxidizing conditions, and for the growth of simple and complex (binary and ternary) nitride and carbide phase surface layers by nitridation and carburization reactions. Specific systems discussed include environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) for Si-based ceramics such as Si3N4 and SiC, the growth of continuous, protective CrN/Cr2N, TiN, VN, NiNbVN, and related simple nitride layers on Fe- and Ni-base alloys, the possible formation of ternary nitride and carbide surface phases (e.g. Ti3AlC2 and related MAX-phases) on intermetallic surfaces to improve oxidation resistance, and the formation of composite near-surface structures in Ag-SiO2 and Co(Mo)-Co6Mo6C2 systems. [source] Charge Transport in Redox Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films: The Dramatic Effects of Outmost Layer and Solution Ionic StrengthCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 13 2010Dr. Mario Tagliazucchi Abstract The redox switching kinetics, that is, charge transfer and transport in layer-by-layer-deposited electroactive polyelectrolyte multilayers is systematically studied with variable-scan-rate cyclic voltammetry. The experiments are performed with films finished in the redox polycation (an osmium pyridine,bipyridine derivatized polyallylamine, PAH-Os) and the polyanion (polyvinyl sulfonate, PVS), in solutions of different electrolyte concentrations. A modified diffusion model is developed to account for the experimentally observed dependence of the average peak potential with the scan rate. This model is able to describe both the redox peak potential and the current, providing information on the electron-transfer rate constants and the diffusion coefficient for the electron-hopping mechanism. While the former does not vary with the ionic strength or the nature of the outmost layer, polyanion-capped films present an electron-hopping diffusion coefficient at low ionic strength that is three orders of magnitude smaller than that for PAH-Os-capped films. The effect is offset at high ionic strength. We discuss the possible causes of the effect and the important consequences for electrochemical devices built by layer-by-layer self-assembly, such as amperometric biosensors or electrochromic devices. [source] |