A novel electrochemical sensor based on phosphate-stabilized poly-caffeic acid film in combination with graphene nanosheets for sensitive determination of nitro-aromatic energetic materials.

This work offers a novel approach and sensor electrode for electrocatalytic reduction of nitro-aromatic explosives (NAEs). This sensor was created by combining electrochemically reduced graphene nanosheets (GNSs) -through cyclic voltammetric reduction of a graphene oxide colloidal solution- with phosphate-stabilized poly-caffeic acid (pCAF) film-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The poly-caffeic acid-modified nonconductive electrode was stabilized with a HPO/HPO phosphate buffer at pH 7 and made conductive.

Direct Determination of Peroxide Explosives on Polycarbazole/Gold Nanoparticle-Modified Glassy Carbon Sensor Electrodes Imprinted for Molecular Recognition of TATP and HMTD.

Since peroxide-based explosives (PBEs) lack reactive functional groups, they cannot be determined directly by most detection methods and are often detected indirectly by converting them to HO. However, HO may originate from many sources, causing false positives in PBE detection. Here, we developed a novel electrochemical sensor for the direct sensitive and selective determination of PBEs such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) using electrochemical modification of the glassy carbon (GC) electrode with PBE-memory polycarbazole (PCz) films decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Electrochemical determination of nitroaromatic explosives using glassy carbon/multi walled carbon nanotube/polyethyleneimine electrode coated with gold nanoparticles.

The on site/in field detection of explosives has become a rising priority for homeland security and counter-terrorism measures. This work presents the sensitive detection of nitroaromatic explosives using glassy carbon/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polyethyleneimine (GC/MWCNTs/PEI) electrode coated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). MWCNTs and PEI could be well dispersed in ethanol/water solution, giving rise to a thin and homogeneous film on GCE.

Direct Electrochemical Determination of Peroxide-Type Explosives Using Well-Dispersed Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Polyethyleneimine-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes.

The sensitive and selective determination of peroxide-based explosives (PBEs) in the field/on site is an important analytical challenge. Most methods claiming to detect PBEs are indirect, actually detecting their decomposition product, HO. Here, we present an electrochemical sensor for direct detection of organic peroxide explosives, that is, triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylenetriperoxide diamine (HMTD), using well-dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyethyleneimine (MWCNTs/PEI)-modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode, namely, GC/MWCNTs/PEI electrode.

Electrochemical Determination of TNT, DNT, RDX, and HMX with Gold Nanoparticles/Poly(Carbazole-Aniline) Film-Modified Glassy Carbon Sensor Electrodes Imprinted for Molecular Recognition of Nitroaromatics and Nitramines.

Since nitroaromatic- and nitramine-type energetic materials, mostly arising from military activities, are persistent pollutants in soil and groundwater, on-site sensing of these hazardous chemicals has gained importance. A novel electrochemical sensor was designed for detecting nitroaromatic- and nitramine-type energetic materials, relying on gold nanoparticles (Au), modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode coated with nitro-energetic memory-poly(carbazole-aniline) copolymer (Cz- co-ANI) film (e.g.

Novel Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Sensors and Nanoprobes for the Characterization of Food and Biological Antioxidants.

Since an unbalanced excess of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) causes various diseases, determination of antioxidants that can counter oxidative stress is important in food and biological analyses. Optical/electrochemical nanosensors have attracted attention in antioxidant activity (AOA) assessment because of their increased sensitivity and selectivity. Optical sensors offer advantages such as low cost, flexibility, remote control, speed, miniaturization and on-site/in situ analysis.

Electrochemical Determination of Food Preservative Nitrite with Gold Nanoparticles/p-Aminothiophenol-Modified Gold Electrode.

Due to the negative impact of nitrate and nitrite on human health, their presence exceeding acceptable levels is not desired in foodstuffs. Thus, nitrite determination at low concentrations is a major challenge in electroanalytical chemistry, which can be achieved by fast, cheap, and safe electrochemical sensors. In this work, the working electrode (Au) was functionalized with p-aminothiophenol (p-ATP) and modified with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) to manufacture the final (Au/p-ATP-Aunano) electrode in a two-step procedure.

Electrochemical sensor for nitroaromatic type energetic materials using gold nanoparticles/poly(o-phenylenediamine-aniline) film modified glassy carbon electrode.

In this work, a novel electrochemical sensor was developed for the detection of nitroaromatic explosive materials, based on a gold nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode coated with poly(o-phenylenediamine-aniline film) (GC/P(o-PDA-co-ANI)-Aunano electrode). Nitroaromatic compounds were detected through their π-acceptor/donor interactions with o-phenylenediamine-aniline functionalities on the modified electrode surface. The enhanced sensitivities were achieved through π-π and charge-transfer (CT) interactions between the electron-deficient nitroaromatic compounds and σ-/π-donor amine/aniline groups linked to gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs), providing increased binding and preconcentration onto the modified GC-electrodes.

Determination of nitroaromatic and nitramine type energetic materials in synthetic and real mixtures by cyclic voltammetry.

Nitro-explosives contain reducible aromatic -NO2 groups or cyclic >N-NO2 bonds that may undergo reductive cleavage. This work reports the development of a cyclic voltammetric (CV) assay for nitro-aromatics (trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrotoluene (DNT)) and nitramines (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX)) using a glassy carbon electrode. This determination was first used for these energetic materials by resolving current responses of reduction potentials primarily due to one constituent but partly contributed by other constituents.

Rapid detection of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives on chromatographic paper and their reflectometric sensing on PVC tablets.

Rapid and inexpensive sensing of explosive traces in soil and post-blast debris for environmental and criminological purposes with optical sensors has recently gained importance. The developed sensing method for nitro-aromatic and nitramine-based explosives is based on dropping an acetone solution of the analyte to an adsorbent surface, letting the solvent to dry, spraying an analytical reagent to produce a persistent spot, and indirectly measuring its reflectance by means of a miniature spectrometer. This method proved to be useful for on-site determination of nitro-aromatics (trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (tetryl) and dinitrotoluene (DNT)) and nitramines (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX)) pre-adsorbed on a poly vinyl chloride (PVC) surface, with the use of different spray reagents for each group of explosives producing different colors.