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Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Bioassay for Hg(II) Detection Based on Plasma-Polymerized Propargylamine and Three-Dimensional Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite

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Abstract

In this study, a nanocomposite consisting of three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (3D-rGO) and plasma-polymerized propargylamine (3D-rGO@PpPG) was prepared and used as a highly sensitive and selective DNA sensor for detecting Hg2+. Given the high density of amino groups in the resultant 3D-rGO@PpPG nanocomposite, thymine-rich and Hg2+-targeted DNA was preferentially immobilized on the fabricated sensor surface via the strong electrostatic interaction between DNA strands and the amino-functionalized nanocomposites, followed by detecting Hg2+ through T–Hg2+–T coordination chemistry between DNA and Hg2+. The results of electrochemical measurements revealed that the anchored amount of DNA strands anchored on the 3D-rGO@PpPG nanofilm surface affects the determination of Hg2+ in aqueous solution. It showed high sensitivity and selectivity toward Hg2+ within concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 200 nM and displayed a low detection limit of 0.02 nM. The new strategy proposed also provides high selectivity of Hg2+ against other interfering metal ions, good stability, and repeatability. The excellent applicability of the developed sensor confirms the potential use of plasma-modified nanofilms for the detection of heavy metal ions in real environmental samples and water.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Program for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC: Account No. 51173172), Science and Technology Opening Cooperation Project of Henan Province (Account No. 132106000076), and Innovative Technology Team of Henan Province.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, No. 166, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People’s Republic of China

    D. L. Peng, H. F. Ji, X. D. Dong, J. F. Tian, M. H. Wang, L. H. He, Z. Z. Zhang & S. M. Fang

  2. Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Environmental Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, No. 166, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, People’s Republic of China

    J. F. Tian, Z. Z. Zhang & S. M. Fang

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  1. D. L. Peng
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  4. J. F. Tian
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  5. M. H. Wang
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Correspondence to Z. Z. Zhang or S. M. Fang.

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Peng, D.L., Ji, H.F., Dong, X.D. et al. Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Bioassay for Hg(II) Detection Based on Plasma-Polymerized Propargylamine and Three-Dimensional Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite. Plasma Chem Plasma Process 36, 1051–1065 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-016-9707-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-016-9707-4

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