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Self-assembly of ultra-small gold nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode for the enzyme-free detection of hydrogen peroxide

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Abstract

A novel enzyme-free electrochemical sensor for H2O2 was fabricated by modifying an indium tin oxide (ITO) support with (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane to yield an interface for the assembly of colloidal gold. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were then immobilized on the substrate via self-assembly. Atomic force microscopy showed the presence of a monolayer of well-dispersed AuNPs with an average size of ~4 nm. The electrochemical behavior of the resultant AuNP/ITO-modified electrode and its response to hydrogen peroxide were studied by cyclic voltammetry. This non-enzymatic and mediator-free electrode exhibits a linear response in the range from 3.0 × 10−5 M to 1.0 × 10−3 M (M = mol · L−1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The limit of detection is as low as 10 nM (for S/N = 3). The sensor is stable, gives well reproducible results, and is deemed to represent a promising tool for electrochemical sensing.

AuNPs/ITO modified electrode prepared by self-assembly method exhibit good electrocatalytic activity towards enzyme-free detection H2O2. The linear range of typical electrode is between 3.0 × 10−5 M and 1.0 × 10−3 M with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and the limit detection is down to 1.0 × 10−8 M.

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Acknowledgement

The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21071113), the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (No. 2011CDA049), the International Cooperation Foundation of Hubei Province (No. 2012IHA00201) and the Scientific Innovation Team Project of Hubei Provincial Department of Education (T201306).

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  1. Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Education Ministry, Department of Chemical Engineering & Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 693 Xiongchu Road, Wuhan, 430073, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Xiong, Qin Qu & Shantang Liu

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  1. Wei Xiong
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  2. Qin Qu
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  3. Shantang Liu
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Correspondence to Shantang Liu.

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Xiong, W., Qu, Q. & Liu, S. Self-assembly of ultra-small gold nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode for the enzyme-free detection of hydrogen peroxide. Microchim Acta 181, 983–989 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-014-1189-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-014-1189-6

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