Analytical Sciences

Electrochemical Decoration of Carbon Nanotubes with Au Nanostructure for the Electroanalysis of Biomolecules

Ashok Kumar DAS and C. Retna RAJ

Functional Materials and Electrochemistry Lab, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

An electrochemical route for the decoration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with anisotropic Au nanostructures and the electroanalytical application of decorated MWCNTs are described. MWCNTs were electrochemically decorated with flowers and buds-like Au nanostructures in aqueous solution in the presence of KI. The flowers and buds-like nanostructures had an average size of 80 nm with a predominant Au(111) plane. The analytical application of the decorated MWCNTs in the electroanalysis of biologically important analytes, such as uric acid (UA), epinephrine (EN) and ascorbic acid (AA), was studied. The nanoparticles of flower-like morphology efficiently catalyze the oxidation of the bioanalytes at a less-positive potential. Simultaneous electroanalysis of AA, UA and EN have been achieved. Well separated individual voltammetric peaks were obtained in their coexistence. The decorated MWCNT modified electrode is very stable and highly sensitive towards UA and EN. It could detect micromolar levels of bioanalytes without any interference. The catalytic property of the nanostructures is superior to that of the conventional spherical nanoparticle. The morphology of the nanoparticle controls the electrocatalytic activity.

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