Co-reporter:Rong-Bin Song;YiChao Wu;Dr. Zong-Qiong Lin;Jian Xie;Chuan Hao Tan; Joachim Say Chye Loo; Bin Cao; Jian-Rong Zhang; Jun-Jie Zhu; Qichun Zhang
Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2017 Volume 56(Issue 35) pp:10516-10520
Publication Date(Web):2017/08/21
DOI:10.1002/anie.201704729
AbstractCoating individual bacterial cells with conjugated polymers to endow them with more functionalities is highly desirable. Here, we developed an in situ polymerization method to coat polypyrrole on the surface of individual Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, Escherichia coli, Ochrobacterium anthropic or Streptococcus thermophilus. All of these as-coated cells from different bacterial species displayed enhanced conductivities without affecting viability, suggesting the generality of our coating method. Because of their excellent conductivity, we employed polypyrrole-coated Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 as an anode in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and found that not only direct contact-based extracellular electron transfer is dramatically enhanced, but also the viability of bacterial cells in MFCs is improved. Our results indicate that coating individual bacteria with conjugated polymers could be a promising strategy to enhance their performance or enrich them with more functionalities.
Co-reporter:Rong-Bin Song;YiChao Wu;Dr. Zong-Qiong Lin;Jian Xie;Chuan Hao Tan; Joachim Say Chye Loo; Bin Cao; Jian-Rong Zhang; Jun-Jie Zhu; Qichun Zhang
Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2017 Volume 56(Issue 35) pp:10608-10608
Publication Date(Web):2017/08/21
DOI:10.1002/anie.201706568
Coating individual bacterial cells with in situ formed polypyrrole is described by J. S. C. Loo, B. Cao, J. R. Zhang, J.-J. Zhu et al. in their Communication on page 10516 ff. The coated polypyrrole can serve as a conductive medium as well as a protecting layer. Enhanced direct contact-based extracellular electron transfer and improved viability of bacterial cells are observed when polypyrrole-coated exoelectrogenic bacteria are employed as an anode in microbial fuel cells.
Co-reporter:Rong-Bin Song;YiChao Wu;Dr. Zong-Qiong Lin;Jian Xie;Chuan Hao Tan; Joachim Say Chye Loo; Bin Cao; Jian-Rong Zhang; Jun-Jie Zhu; Qichun Zhang
Angewandte Chemie 2017 Volume 129(Issue 35) pp:10652-10656
Publication Date(Web):2017/08/21
DOI:10.1002/ange.201704729
AbstractCoating individual bacterial cells with conjugated polymers to endow them with more functionalities is highly desirable. Here, we developed an in situ polymerization method to coat polypyrrole on the surface of individual Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, Escherichia coli, Ochrobacterium anthropic or Streptococcus thermophilus. All of these as-coated cells from different bacterial species displayed enhanced conductivities without affecting viability, suggesting the generality of our coating method. Because of their excellent conductivity, we employed polypyrrole-coated Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 as an anode in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and found that not only direct contact-based extracellular electron transfer is dramatically enhanced, but also the viability of bacterial cells in MFCs is improved. Our results indicate that coating individual bacteria with conjugated polymers could be a promising strategy to enhance their performance or enrich them with more functionalities.
Co-reporter:Cui-e Zhao;Panpan Gai;Rongbin Song;Ying Chen;Jianrong Zhang;Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Society Reviews 2017 vol. 46(Issue 5) pp:1545-1564
Publication Date(Web):2017/03/06
DOI:10.1039/C6CS00044D
During the past decade, biofuel cells (BFCs) have emerged as an emerging technology on account of their ability to directly generate electricity from biologically renewable catalysts and fuels. Due to the boost in nanotechnology, significant advances have been accomplished in BFCs. Although it is still challenging to promote the performance of BFCs, adopting nanostructured materials for BFC construction has been extensively proposed as an effective and promising strategy to achieve high energy production. In this review, we presented the major novel nanostructured materials applied for BFCs and highlighted the breakthroughs in this field. Based on different natures of the bio-catalysts and electron transfer process at the bio-electrode surfaces, the fundamentals of BFC systems, including enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) and microbial fuel cells (MFCs), have been elucidated. In particular, the principle of electrode materials design has been detailed in terms of enhancing electrical communications between biological catalysts and electrodes. Furthermore, we have provided the applications of BFCs and potential challenges of this technology.
Co-reporter:Dan Guo;Rong-Bin Song;Hao-Hua Shao;Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2017 vol. 53(Issue 72) pp:9967-9970
Publication Date(Web):2017/09/05
DOI:10.1039/C7CC04666A
A new visible-light-assisted microbial fuel cell composed of a three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene self-standing sponge anode and a photoresponsive cathode has been developed for achieving multiple energy conversion and a higher power output.
Co-reporter:Wenjing Wang;Shan Huang;Jingjing Li;Kai Rui;Sai Bi;Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Science (2010-Present) 2017 vol. 8(Issue 1) pp:174-180
Publication Date(Web):2016/12/19
DOI:10.1039/C6SC01953F
Telomerase plays a vital role in cancer and aging, and telomerase activity detection has drawn great attention recently. However, a feasible in situ imaging system for intracellular telomerase is still a challenge. Here, we develop a novel approach to image intracellular telomerase activity using DNA-based computation. A cascade nucleic acid logic gate that responded to intracellular telomerase was constructed. A telomerase substrate (TS) probe, extended by intracellular telomerase, worked as an input to initiate computation cascades. In this way, intracellular telomerase could be clearly indicated by fluorophore labeled nucleic acids as the output. Through one-step incubation, evaluation of the intracellular telomerase activity for a HeLa cell line and the ability to differentiate cancer cells from normal cells could be realized. Furthermore, the response of intracellular telomerase activity to a telomerase-inhibiting model drug was observed using the proposed method. Thus, this intracellular telomerase computation device will allow improvements in studying the relationship between telomerase and cancer, and may help to develop telomerase inhibitors. This finding also expands the applications of DNA computational techniques in cells.
Co-reporter:Yusheng Ji;Panpan Gai;Jun Feng;Linlin Wang;Jianrong Zhang;Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2017 vol. 5(Issue 22) pp:11026-11031
Publication Date(Web):2017/06/06
DOI:10.1039/C7TA01931A
Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) are considered as a promising approach to meet the requirements of power sources. Electrode materials, which are significant factors to affect the power output of EBFCs, have aroused great interest. Herein, we developed an EBFC using a Fe3O4–carbon nanofiber/gold nanoparticle hybrid as the substrate electrode for improving the performance of the power output. The open-circuit voltage (Eocv) of the designed EBFC reached 0.68 ± 0.03 V, and the maximum power density (Pmax) reached 126 ± 4.5 μW cm−2. The as-prepared EBFC showed 3 times higher Pmax compared to the EBFC based on the carbon nanofiber/gold nanoparticle hybrid, which was ascribed to the good electrocatalytic activity of Fe3O4 NP loaded carbon nanofibers (CNFs), the 3D porous structure of CNFs as well as the uniform distribution of Au NPs. The Fe3O4–CNF/gold nanoparticle hybrid is considered as a promising candidate for constructing electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells.
Co-reporter:Rong-Bin Song;YiChao Wu;Dr. Zong-Qiong Lin;Jian Xie;Chuan Hao Tan; Joachim Say Chye Loo; Bin Cao; Jian-Rong Zhang; Jun-Jie Zhu; Qichun Zhang
Angewandte Chemie 2017 Volume 129(Issue 35) pp:10744-10744
Publication Date(Web):2017/08/21
DOI:10.1002/ange.201706568
Die Beschichtung einzelner Bakterienzellen …… mit in situ gebildetem Polypyrrol wird von J. S. C. Loo, B. Cao, J. R. Zhang, J. J. Zhu et al. in ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 10652 beschrieben. Das Polypyrrol kann als leitfähiges Medium sowie als Schutzschicht fungieren. Ein erhöhter direkter kontaktbasierter extrazellulärer Elektronentransfer und eine bessere Lebensfähigkeit der Bakterienzellen werden beobachtet, wenn mit Polypyrrol beschichtete exoelektrogene Bakterien als Anode in mikrobiellen Brennstoffzellen eingesetzt werden.
Co-reporter:Dan Guo;Rong-Bin Song;Hao-Hua Shao;Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2017 vol. 53(Issue 77) pp:10738-10738
Publication Date(Web):2017/09/26
DOI:10.1039/C7CC90353G
Correction for ‘Visible-light-enhanced power generation in microbial fuel cells coupling with 3D nitrogen-doped graphene’ by Dan Guo et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7cc04666a.
Co-reporter:Dan Guo;Rong-Bin Song;Hao-Hua Shao;Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2017 vol. 53(Issue 77) pp:10738-10738
Publication Date(Web):2017/09/26
DOI:10.1039/C7CC90353G
Correction for ‘Visible-light-enhanced power generation in microbial fuel cells coupling with 3D nitrogen-doped graphene’ by Dan Guo et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7cc04666a.
Co-reporter:Rong-Bin Song, Cui-E Zhao, Li-Ping Jiang, Essam Sayed Abdel-Halim, Jian-Rong Zhang, and Jun-Jie Zhu
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2016 Volume 8(Issue 25) pp:16170-16177
Publication Date(Web):June 7, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acsami.6b03425
Promoting the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) relies heavily on the structure design and composition tailoring of electrode materials. In this work, three-dimensional (3D) macroporous graphene foams incorporated with intercalated spacer of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and bacterial anchor of Fe3O4 nanospheres (named as G/MWCNTs/Fe3O4 foams) were first synthesized and used as anodes for Shewanella-inoculated microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Thanks to the macroporous structure of 3D graphene foams, the expanded electrode surface by MWCNTs spacing, as well as the high affinity of Fe3O4 nanospheres toward Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, the anode exhibited high bacterial loading capability. In addition to spacing graphene nanosheets for accommodating bacterial cells, MWCNTs paved a smoother way for electron transport in the electrode substrate of MFCs. Meanwhile, the embedded bioaffinity Fe3O4 nanospheres capable of preserving the bacterial metabolic activity provided guarantee for the long-term durability of the MFCs. With these merits, the constructed MFC possessed significantly higher power output and stronger stability than that with conventional graphite rod anode.
Co-reporter:Gao-Chao Fan, Hua Zhu, Dan Du, Jian-Rong Zhang, Jun-Jie Zhu, and Yuehe Lin
Analytical Chemistry 2016 Volume 88(Issue 6) pp:3392
Publication Date(Web):February 24, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.6b00144
A new, ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical immunosensing platform was established on the basis of CdSeTe@CdS:Mn core–shell quantum dots-sensitized TiO2 coupled with signal amplification of CuS nanocrystals conjugated signal antibodies. In this proposal, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, Ag) was selected as an example of target analyte to show the analytical performances of the platform. Specifically, TiO2-modified electrode was first assembled with CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots (AQDs) via electrostatic adsorption assisted by oppositely charged polyelectrolyte, and then further deposited with CdS:Mn shells on the surface of CdSeTe AQDs via successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction strategy, forming TiO2/CdSeTe@CdS:Mn sensitization structure, which was used as photoelectrochemical matrix to immobilize capture CEA antibodies (Ab1); signal CEA antibodies (Ab2) were labeled with CuS nanocrystals (NCs) to form Ab2–CuS conjugates, which were employed as signal amplification elements when specific immunoreaction occurred. The ultrahigh sensitivity of this immunoassay resulted from the following two aspects. Before detection of target Ag, the TiO2/CdSeTe@CdS:Mn sensitization structure could adequately harvest the exciting light with different bands, evidently expedite the electron transfer, and effectively depress the charge recombination, resulting in noticeably increased photocurrent. When target Ag existed, the Ab2–CuS conjugates could dramatically decrease the photocurrent due to competitive absorption of exciting light and consumption of electron donor for CuS NCs coupled with steric hindrance of Ab2 molecules. The fabricated photoelectrochemical immunosensor showed a low limit of detection of 0.16 pg/mL and a wide linear range from 0.5 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL for CEA detection, and it also exhibited good specificity, reproducibility, and stability.
Co-reporter:Gao-Chao Fan, Xiao-Mei Shi, Jian-Rong Zhang, and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Chemistry 2016 Volume 88(Issue 21) pp:10352
Publication Date(Web):October 17, 2016
DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.6b03473
Generally, photoanode-based photoelectrochemical immunoassay possesses obvious photocurrent response and lower detection limit for ideal sample detection, but it has the inherent imperfection of poor anti-interference capability for real sample detection. Photocathode-based immunoassay can well avoid the intrinsic drawback of photoanode-based immunoassay, but it has low photocurrent response resulting in less good sensitivity. Herein, a promising new cathode photoelectrochemical immunosensing platform integrating photocathode with photoanode was reported for accurate and sensitive detection of biomarkers. In this proposal, prostate-specific antigen (PSA, Ag) was chosen as a model of target analyte to exhibit the analytical performances of this platform. TiO2/CdS:Mn hybrid structure modified indium–tin oxide (ITO) electrode served as photoanode, whereas CuInS2 microflowers modified ITO electrode was selected as photocathode. The transducer elements of PSA antibody (Ab) were modified on photocathode to fabricate a label-free cathode immunosensing electrode. The proposed immunosensing platform possesses two distinct advantages simultaneously. First, it has good anti-interference capability for the detection of real biological samples, since the biorecognition events occurred on photocathode. Second, the photoelectrochemical system owns evident photocurrent response and low detection limit for target Ag detection thanks to the introduction of the photoanode. Moreover, the proposed immunosensing platform also exhibits good specificity, reproducibility, and stability, and meanwhile it opens up a new horizon to construct other kinds of photoelectrochemical biosensors.
Co-reporter:Gao-Chao Fan
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2016 Volume 120(Issue 29) pp:15657-15665
Publication Date(Web):October 15, 2015
DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b08131
A novel photoelectrochemical aptasensor for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection was developed by introducing inorganic–organic photoactive nanocomposites as sensitization agents to achieve significant signal amplification. Specifically, a TiO2/Au hybrid structure was first fabricated by decorating Au nanoparticles on the surface of TiO2 film, which then was used as the photoelectrochemical matrix for the immobilization of ATP aptamer probes; amino-functionalized CdS:Mn (CdS:Mn-NH2) nanocrystals covalently bound with Ru(bpy)2(dcbpy)2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; dcbpy = 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid) to form CdS:Mn@Ru(bpy)2(dcbpy) photoactive nanocomposites, which were employed as signal amplification element labeling on the terminal of ATP aptamer probes. The ATP detection was performed via the photocurrent variation produced by the conformation change of ATP aptamer probes after specifically binding with ATP molecules. Before incubation with ATP, the ATP aptamer probe hybridized with its partly complementary DNA to form a rodlike double helix, which made the labeled sensitization agents of CdS:Mn@Ru(bpy)2(dcbpy) far from the TiO2/Au electrode surface, resulting in depressed sensitization effect. In the presence of ATP, the ATP aptamer probe specifically bound with ATP molecule to form a G-quadruplex structure, which made the CdS:Mn@Ru(bpy)2(dcbpy) very close to the TiO2/Au electrode surface, resulting in noticeably enhanced photocurrent intensity due to full activation of the sensitization effect. Accordingly, a signal-on photoelectrochemical aptasensor was constructed. The designed aptasensor exhibited a wide linear range from 0.5 pM to 5 nM with a low detection limit of 0.18 pM for ATP detection.
Co-reporter:Pan-Pan Gai, Yu-Sheng Ji, Wen-Jing Wang, Rong-Bin Song, Cheng Zhu, Yun Chen, Jian-Rong Zhang, Jun-Jie Zhu
Nano Energy 2016 Volume 19() pp:541-549
Publication Date(Web):January 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.03.035
•An ultrasensitive self-powered cytosensor based on biofuel cells was fabricated.•The captured cells could cause the decrease in power output of cytosensor.•The power output of the self-powered cytosensor could be restored.•The detection limit of the self-powered BFC cytosensor was 4 cells (S/N=3).We developed an ultrasensitive self-powered cytosensor based on biofuel cells (BFC) for the detection of acute leukemia CCRF-CEM cells. The core component of the BFC cytosensor was composed of an aptamer (Sgc8c)-functionalized cathode and a nitrogen-doped graphene/gold nanoparticles/glucose oxidase (NG/AuNPs/GOD) anode, which generated a maximum power output density (Pmax) of 115 μW cm−2. Once the negatively charged CCRF-CEM cells were captured by the cathode via aptamer recognition, their dramatic steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion to the redox probe [Fe(CN)6]3− efficiently blocked the electron transfer between the probe and the cathode surface, and thereby caused a remarkable decrease in power output of the BFC, which could be used to sensitively detect the cells. Notably, the power output density of the BFC cytosensor could be restored when the captured CCRF-CEM cells were released from the aptamer-functionalized cathode by raising the temperature of the cathode to alter the specific conformation of the aptamer. Then the re-activated cathode could capture CCRF-CEM cells once again achieving the regeneration of the BFC cytosensor. This self-powered BFC cytosensor showed a linear relationship between the Pmax and the logarithm of the cell numbers over a range of 5–50,000 cells (r=0.9979) with a detection limit of 4 cells (S/N=3), which is expected to have potential application as a powerful point-of-care tool for the early detection of circulating tumor cells.We developed an ultrasensitive self-powered cytosensor based on biofuel cells for the detection of acute leukemia CCRF-CEM cells. By virtue of the high specific aptamer and sensitive power output signal, the detection limit of the BFC cytosensor was determined to be 4 cells.
Co-reporter:Li He, Lingling Li, Wenjing Wang, E.S. Abdel-Halim, Jianrong Zhang, Jun-Jie Zhu
Talanta 2016 Volume 146() pp:209-215
Publication Date(Web):1 January 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.talanta.2015.08.053
•High performance NIR CdSeTe/CdS/C QDs were synthesized for the first time.•Core–shell CdSeTe/CdS/C QDs showed low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility.•Labeled CdSeTe/CdS/C QDs could target cancer cell efficiency and specificity.In this study, double shelled NIR CdSeTe/CdS/C quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized by a liquid phase method. The as-prepared QDs showed low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility due to the formation of carbon shell. The imaging of targeted Human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa cells) indicates that the CdSeTe/CdS/C QDs have excellent optical properties and cell viability. These results clearly shows that the CdSeTe/CdS/C QDs can be a good candidate for bioapplications.For the sake of minimizing the breakdown of the QDs by oxidation and reducing cytotoxicity, we capped CdSeTe QDs with binary CdS and carbon shells. The double shelled QDs exhibited outstanding optical properties and good biocompatibility, showing potential in bioimaging.
Co-reporter:Hua Zhu, Gao-Chao Fan, E.S. Abdel-Halim, Jian-Rong Zhang, Jun-Jie Zhu
Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2016 Volume 77() pp:339-346
Publication Date(Web):15 March 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.bios.2015.09.051
•A novel, enhanced photoelectrochemical immunoassay was developed for CA19-9 detection.•TiO2NWs/Au/CdSe@ZnS sensitized structure could evidently promote photocurrent intensity.•Ab2@V2+ conjugates could significantly decrease the photocurrent detection signal.•The proposed photoelectrochemical protocol presented ultrahigh sensitivity.A novel, enhanced photoelectrochemical immunoassay was established for sensitive and specific detection of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9, Ag). In this protocol, TiO2 nanowires (TiO2NWs) were first decorated with Au nanoparticles to form TiO2NWs/Au hybrid structure, and then coated with CdSe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs) via the layer-by-layer method, producing TiO2NWs/Au/CdSe@ZnS sensitized structure, which was employed as the photoelectrochemical matrix to immobilize capture CA19-9 antibodies (Ab1); whereas, bipyridinium (V2+) molecules were labeled on signal CA19-9 antibodies (Ab2) to form Ab2@V2+ conjugates, which were used as signal amplification elements. The TiO2NWs/Au/CdSe@ZnS sensitized structure could adequately absorb light energy and dramatically depress electron–hole recombination, resulting in evidently enhanced photocurrent intensity of the immunosensing electrode. While target Ag were detected, the Ab2@V2+ conjugates could significantly decrease the photocurrent detection signal because of strong electron-withdrawing property of V2+ coupled with evident steric hindrance of Ab2. Thanks to synergy effect of TiO2NWs/Au/CdSe@ZnS sensitized structure and quenching effect of Ab2@V2+ conjugates, the well-established photoelectrochemical immunoassay exhibited a low detection limit of 0.0039 U/mL with a wide linear range from 0.01 U/mL to 200 U/mL for target Ag detection. This proposed photoelectrochemical protocol also showed good reproducibility, specificity and stability, and might be applied to detect other important biomarkers.
Co-reporter:Yun Chen, Panpan Gai, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 21) pp:11511-11516
Publication Date(Web):20 Apr 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5TA01432H
Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) utilize redox enzymes as the catalysts to produce energy from green and renewable fuels, and are considered as promising, environmentally friendly power sources. However, EBFCs are limited by the relatively slow rate of electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes, which is a major barrier to improving EBFC power output. In this study, enzymes were bound to the hydrophilic, carboxyl group functionalized graphene–gold nanoparticle hybrid, and the hybrid as electrode material was able to increase the rate of electron transfer in the EBFC. The open-circuit voltage (Eocvcell) of this designed EBFC reached 1.16 ± 0.02 V, and the maximal power density (Pmax) was as high as 1.96 ± 0.13 mW cm−2. Two as-prepared EBFC units arranged in series were able to light up red and yellow light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Also, using these EBFCs, the Eocvcell and Pmax retained 80% and 66% of their optimal values over 70 days, respectively. This fabricated EBFC is expected to find applications in the bioenergy fields.
Co-reporter:Panpan Gai, Rongbin Song, Cheng Zhu, Yusheng Ji, Wengjing Wang, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2015 vol. 51(Issue 94) pp:16763-16766
Publication Date(Web):25 Sep 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5CC07520C
An exogenous redox-free, membrane-less enzyme biofuel cell-based ultrasensitive self-powered cytosensing platform was fabricated. With the ultrahigh sensitivity and the merits of not requiring external power sources or exogenous reagents, the device has great potential as a point-of-care tool for early diagnosis of cancer in vivo.
Co-reporter:Panpan Gai, Rongbin Song, Cheng Zhu, Yusheng Ji, Yun Chen, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2015 vol. 51(Issue 79) pp:14735-14738
Publication Date(Web):06 Aug 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5CC06062A
A novel ternary hybrid of carbon nanotubes/graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets/gold nanoparticles was prepared and used as robust substrate electrodes for fabricating membrane-less glucose/O2 enzyme biofuel cells (EBFCs), and a remarkably improved power output was observed for the prepared EBFC.
Co-reporter:Gao-Chao Fan, Hua Zhu, Qingming Shen, Li Han, Ming Zhao, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2015 vol. 51(Issue 32) pp:7023-7026
Publication Date(Web):16 Mar 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5CC01935D
High-efficient exciton energy transfer between CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots and SiO2@Au nanocomposites was applied to develop an enhanced photoelectrochemical aptasensing platform with ultrahigh sensitivity, good selectivity, reproducibility and stability.
Co-reporter:Wen-Jing Wang, Jing-Jing Li, Kai Rui, Pan-Pan Gai, Jian-Rong Zhang, and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Chemistry 2015 Volume 87(Issue 5) pp:3019
Publication Date(Web):February 11, 2015
DOI:10.1021/ac504652e
We report an electrochemical sensor for telomerase activity detection based on spherical nucleic acids gold nanoparticles (SNAs AuNPs) triggered mimic-hybridization chain reaction (mimic-HCR) enzyme-free dual signal amplification. In the detection strategy, SNAs AuNPs and two hairpin probes were employed. SNAs AuNPs as the primary amplification element, not only hybridized with the telomeric repeats on the electrode to amplify signal but also initiated the subsequent secondary amplification, mimic-hybridization chain reaction of two hairpin probes. If the cells’ extracts were positive for telomerase activity, SNAs AuNPs could be captured on the electrode. The carried initiators could trigger an alternative hybridization reaction of two hairpin probes that yielded nicked double helices. The signal was further amplified enzyme-free by numerous hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride ([Ru(NH3)6]3+, RuHex) inserting into double-helix DNA long chain by electrostatic interaction, each of which could generate an electrochemical signal at appropriate potential. With this method, a detection limit of down to 2 HeLa cells and a dynamic range of 10–10 000 cells were achieved. Telomerase activities of different cell lines were also successfully evaluated.
Co-reporter:Panpan Gai, Yusheng Ji, Yun Chen, Cheng Zhu, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analyst 2015 vol. 140(Issue 6) pp:1822-1826
Publication Date(Web):02 Feb 2015
DOI:10.1039/C4AN02323D
A high power output, membrane-less formic acid/O2 enzymatic biofuel cell was fabricated, in which nitrogen-doped graphene was proven to be effective for recycling the NAD+/NADH cofactor at a nitrogen-doped graphene/gold nanoparticle/formate dehydrogenase bioanode in the catalytic oxidation of formic acid.
Co-reporter:Rui Ban, E. S. Abdel-Halim, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analyst 2015 vol. 140(Issue 4) pp:1046-1053
Publication Date(Web):18 Dec 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4AN02161D
A novel luminescence probe based on mono-6-amino-β-cyclodextrin (NH2-β-CD) functionalised gold nanoclusters (β-CD-AuNC) was designed for dopamine (DA) detection. The NH2-β-CD molecules were conjugated onto the surface of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid capped AuNCs (11-MUA-AuNC) via a carbodiimide coupling reaction. The integrity of the β-CD cavities was preserved on the surface of AuNCs and they retained their capability for molecular DA host–guest recognition. DA could be captured by the β-CD cavities to form an inclusion complex in which the oxidised DA could quench the fluorescence of the β-CD-AuNC probe by electron transfer. The probe could be used to quantify DA in the range of 5–1000 nM with a detection limit of 2 nM. This sensitivity was 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than that in previously reported methods. Interference by both ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) was not observed. Therefore, the β-CD-AuNC probe could be directly used to determine the DA content in biological samples without further separation. This strategy was successfully applied to a DA assay in spiked human serum samples and it exhibited remarkable accuracy, sensitivity and selectivity.
Co-reporter:Cui-e Zhao, Panpan Gai, Rongbin Song, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Methods 2015 vol. 7(Issue 11) pp:4640-4644
Publication Date(Web):30 Apr 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5AY00976F
Electricity generation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) greatly depends on anode materials, which directly affect bacterial attachment on the anode surface and extracellular electron transfer (ETT) between microorganisms and the electrode. Herein, graphene/Au (G/Au) composites were used as a novel anode material for Shewanella-inoculated MFCs. The current generation and power density of the MFCs with a G/Au modified carbon paper (CP/G/Au) anode were significantly improved compared with a conventional carbon paper (CP) anode. This could be attributed to its large surface area, excellent conductivity and good biocompatibility for enhanced bacterial loading on the anode surface and improved EET efficiency between the microbe and the electrode.
Co-reporter:Rui Ban, Fenfen Zheng and Jianrong Zhang
Analytical Methods 2015 vol. 7(Issue 5) pp:1732-1737
Publication Date(Web):02 Jan 2015
DOI:10.1039/C4AY02729A
We present a simple and effective fluorescence method for the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), which is based on TNT recognition by amine-capped silicon quantum dots (SiQDs). The highly luminescent functionalized SiQDs were obtained by a one-step hydrothermal process, using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane as the precursor. The as-prepared SiQDs were directly used as a recognition probe for the detection of TNT because of the strong interactions between the TNT molecule and the SiQDs with an amine group. The formation of Meisenheimer complexes (TNT–amine complexes) could quench the fluorescence of SiQDs by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Such fluorescence response could be used to quantify TNT over the range of 5–500 nM with a detection limit down to 1 nM, and has been successfully applied for the assay of TNT in spiked tap water. The probe exhibited excellent selectivity. This method has great potential for applications in TNT detection.
Co-reporter:Gao-Chao Fan, Li Han, Jian-Rong Zhang, and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Chemistry 2014 Volume 86(Issue 21) pp:10877
Publication Date(Web):October 8, 2014
DOI:10.1021/ac503043w
A TiO2/CdS:Mn hybrid structure cosensitized with two different sizes of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was designed to develop a novel and ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical DNA assay. In this protocol, TiO2/CdS:Mn hybrid structure was prepared by successive adsorption and reaction of Cd2+/Mn2+ and S2– ions on the surface of TiO2 film and then was employed as matrix for immobilization of hairpin DNA probe, whereas large-sized CdTe–COOH QDs and small-sized CdTe–NH2 QDs as signal amplification elements were successively labeled on the terminal of hairpin DNA probe. The target DNA detection was based upon the photocurrent change originated from conformation change of the hairpin DNA probe after hybridization with target DNA. In the absence of target DNA, the immobilized DNA probe was in the hairpin form and the anchored different sizes of CdTe–COOH and CdTe–NH2 QDs were close to the TiO2/CdS:Mn electrode surface, which led to a very strong photocurrent intensity because of the formation of the cosensitized structure. However, in the presence of target DNA, the hairpin DNA probe hybridized with target DNA and changed into a more rigid, rodlike double helix, which forced the multianchored CdTe QDs away from the TiO2/CdS:Mn electrode surface, resulting in significantly decreased photocurrent intensity because of the vanished cosensitization effect. By using this cosensitization signal amplification strategy, the proposed DNA assay could offer an ultrasensitive and specific detection of DNA down to 27 aM, and it opened up a new promising platform to detect various DNA targets at ultralow levels for early diagnoses of different diseases.
Co-reporter:Gao-Chao Fan, Li Han, Hua Zhu, Jian-Rong Zhang, and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Chemistry 2014 Volume 86(Issue 24) pp:12398
Publication Date(Web):November 24, 2014
DOI:10.1021/ac504027d
An ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical sandwich immunoassay was developed to detect matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, antigen, Ag) based on CdS:Mn/CdTe cosensitized TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2-NTs) and signal amplification of SiO2@Ab2 conjugates. Specifically, the TiO2-NTs electrode was first deposited with CdS:Mn by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique and then further coated with CdTe quantum dots (QDs) via the layer-by-layer method, forming TiO2-NTs/CdS:Mn/CdTe cosensitized structure, which was employed as a matrix to immobilize capture MMP-2 antibodies (Ab1); whereas, SiO2 nanoparticles were coated with signal MMP-2 antibodies (Ab2) to form SiO2@Ab2 conjugates, which were used as signal amplification elements via the specific antibody–antigen immunoreaction between Ag and Ab2. The ultrahigh sensitivity of this immunoassay derived from the two major reasons as below. First, the TiO2-NTs/CdS:Mn/CdTe cosensitized structure could adequately absorb the light energy, dramatically promote electron transfer, and effectively inhibit the electron–hole recombination, resulting in significantly enhanced photocurrent intensity of the sensing electrode. However, in the presence of target Ag, the immobilized SiO2@Ab2 conjugates could evidently increase the steric hindrance of the sensing electrode and effectively depress the electron transfer, leading to obviously decreased photocurrent intensity. Accordingly, the well-designed photoelectrochemical immunoassay exhibited a low detection limit of 3.6 fg/mL and a wide linear range from 10 fg/mL to 500 pg/mL for target Ag detection. Meanwhile, it also presented good reproducibility, specificity, and stability and might open a new promising platform for the detection of other important biomarkers.
Co-reporter:Shiwei Zhou, Yong Kong, Qingming Shen, Xiaolin Ren, Jian-Rong Zhang, and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Chemistry 2014 Volume 86(Issue 23) pp:11680
Publication Date(Web):November 5, 2014
DOI:10.1021/ac502969x
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant clone disease of hematopoietic stem cells. At present, the most effective therapy for CML is bone marrow transplantation, but this procedure is expensive, and it is often difficult to find appropriately matched bone marrow donors. As an alternative to marrow transplantation, a more effective anticancer drug should be developed to cure the disease; in addition, an effective system to evaluate the activity of the drug needs to be developed. Herein, we present a novel antileukemia drug evaluation method based on a multisignal amplified photoelectrochemical sensing platform that monitors the activity of caspase-3, a known marker of cell apoptosis. Manganese-doped CdS@ZnS core–shell nanoparticles (Mn:CdS@ZnS) were synthesized via a simple wet chemical method, which provided a stable photocurrent signal. A DEVD–biotin peptide and streptavidin-labeled alkaline phosphatise (SA-ALP) were immobilized successively at these nanoparticles through amide bonding and through specific interaction between biotin and streptavidin, respectively. The photocurrent of this sensing platform improved as the ALP hydrolyzed the substrate 2-phospho-l-ascorbic acid (AAP) to ascorbic acid (AA), a more efficient electron donor. The activity of caspase-3 was detected using this sensing platform, and thus, the efficacy of nilotinib for targeting K562 CML cells could be evaluated. The results indicate that nilotinib can effectively induce apoptosis of the K562 cells. This sensing platform exhibited sensitive, reproductive, and stable performance in studying the nilotinib-induced apoptosis of K562 CML cells, and the platform could be utilized to evaluate other anticancer drugs.
Co-reporter:Rui Ban;Jun-jie Zhu;Jianrong Zhang
Microchimica Acta 2014 Volume 181( Issue 13-14) pp:1591-1599
Publication Date(Web):2014 October
DOI:10.1007/s00604-014-1304-8
We present a sensitive and selective method for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) based on the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It is making use of quantum dots QDs of the type Mn: ZnS that display long-lived phosphorescence emission and act as optical probes for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In this assay, acetylcholine (ACh) is first hydrolyzed by AChE, and the enzyme choline oxidase (ChOx) further oxidizes choline under the formation of H2O2 which quenches the phosphorescence of the QDs. If, however, OPs are added to the solution, the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis by AChE is retarded. This reduces the rate of production of H2O2 and results in a reduced quenching efficiency. The slow decay time of the phosphorescence of the QDs also allows time-resolved luminescence intensity to be measured. This can eliminate background fluorescence from the sample and therefore improves analytical accuracy and the signal-to-noise ratio. Under optimized conditions, there is a linear relationship between luminescence intensity and the concentration of paraoxon in the 1 pM to 1 μM range, with an ~0.1 pM limit of detection which is much lower than that of most existing methods. The phosphorescent probe was applied to determine OPs in spiked real samples.
Co-reporter:Gao-Chao Fan, Xiao-Lin Ren, Cheng Zhu, Jian-Rong Zhang, Jun-Jie Zhu
Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2014 Volume 59() pp:45-53
Publication Date(Web):15 September 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.bios.2014.03.011
•TiO2/CdS/CdSe dual co-sensitized structure could significantly enhance the photocurrent intensity.•TiO2/CdS/CdSe dual co-sensitized structure was employed to develop a novel photoelectrochemical immunoassay.•Competitive immunosensor for highly sensitive detection of human interleukin-6 was fabricated.•The proposed co-sensitization strategy presented high sensitivity, reproducibility, specificity and stability.Dual co-sensitized structure of TiO2/CdS/CdSe was designed to develop a novel photoelectrochemical immunoassay for highly sensitive detection of human interleukin-6 (IL-6). To construct a sensing electrode, TiO2/CdS hybrid was prepared by successive adsorption and reaction of Cd2+ and S2− ions on the surface of TiO2 and then was employed as matrix for immobilization of anti-IL-6 antibody, whereas CdSe QDs linked to IL-6 were used for signal amplification via the specific antibody–antigen immunoreaction between anti-IL-6 and IL-6–CdSe bioconjugate. Greatly enhanced sensitivity for IL-6 detection was derived from the new co-sensitization signal amplification strategy. First, the TiO2/CdS/CdSe co-sensitized structure extended the absorption range to long wavelength of white light, which adequately utilized the light energy. Second, the TiO2/CdS/CdSe co-sensitized structure possessed stepwise band-edge levels favoring ultrafast transfer of photogenerated electrons and significantly prompted the photoelectrochemical performance. Besides, the introduction of CdSe effectively prevented the recombination of photogenerated electrons in the conduction band of CdS, further causing an enhanced photocurrent. Accordingly, upon the co-sensitization strategy, a novel immunoassay based on the competitive binding of anti-IL-6 antibody with IL-6 antigen and IL-6–CdSe bioconjugate was developed, and it exhibited a wide linear range from 1.0 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 0.38 pg/mL for IL-6 detection. The proposed co-sensitization strategy presented high sensitivity, reproducibility, specificity and stability, and also opened up a new promising platform for detection of other biomarkers.
Co-reporter:Pan-Pan Gai, Cui-E Zhao, Ying Wang, E.S. Abdel-Halim, Jian-Rong Zhang, Jun-Jie Zhu
Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2014 Volume 62() pp:170-176
Publication Date(Web):15 December 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.bios.2014.06.043
•The nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) was found to have properties similar to NADH dehydrogenase.•An 800 mV decrease in the overpotential for NADH oxidation was observed.•NG modified electrodes showed excellent performance for the detection of NADH.•The fabricated formate biosensor exhibited remarkable performance for formate detection.•A biosensing platform was created for developing NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase biosensors.A novel electrochemical biosensing platform for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent dehydrogenase catalysis was designed using the nitrogen-doped graphene (NG), which had properties similar to NADH dehydrogenase (CoI). NG mimicked flavin mononucleotide (FMN) in CoI and efficiently catalyzed NADH oxidation. NG also acted as an electron transport “bridge” from NADH to the electrode due to its excellent conductivity. In comparison with a bare gold electrode, an 800 mV decrease in the overpotential for NADH oxidation and CoI-like behavior were observed at NG-modified electrode, which is the largest decrease in overpotential for NADH oxidation reported to date. The catalytic rate constant (k) for the CoI-like behavior of NG was estimated to be 2.3×105 M−1 s−1, which is much higher than that of other previously reported FMN analogs. The Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) of NG was 26 μM, which is comparable to the Km of CoI (10 μM). Electrodes modified with NG and NG/gold nanoparticals/formate dehydrogenase (NG/AuNPs/FDH) showed excellent analytical performance for the detection of NADH and formate. This electrode fabrication strategy could be used to create a universal biosensing platform for developing NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase biosensors and biofuel cells.
Co-reporter:Cui-e Zhao;Wen-Jing Wang;Dong Sun;Dr. Xin Wang; Jian-Rong Zhang; Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemistry - A European Journal 2014 Volume 20( Issue 23) pp:7091-7097
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201400272
Abstract
A new nanostructured graphene/TiO2 (G/TiO2) hybrid was synthesized by a facile microwave-assisted solvothermal process in which amorphous TiO2 was assembled on graphene in situ. The resulting G/TiO2 hybrids were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis. The electrochemical properties of the hybrids as anode materials for Shewanella-inoculated microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were studied for the first time, and they proved to be effective in improving MFC performance. The significantly improved bacterial attachment and extracellular electron-transfer efficiency could be attributed to the high specific surface area, active groups, large pore volume, and excellent conductivity of the nanostructured G/TiO2 hybrid, and this suggests that it could be a promising candidate for high-performance MFCs.
Co-reporter:Yun Chen, Panpan Gai, Li Jin, Dong Zhu, Danbi Tian, E. S. Abdel-Halim, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 vol. 1(Issue 28) pp:3451-3457
Publication Date(Web):28 May 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3TB20513D
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanowhiskers were fabricated in a [bmim][BF4] ionic liquid. The minimal size of the nanowhiskers is only 0.2 nm, and the size matches the thickness of a PEDOT single-molecular chain. They were successfully used as the electron transfer channels between the active center of hemoglobin (Hb) and an underlying electrode. The direct electron transfer process between Hb and the underlying electrode was realized without any electron mediator. Compared to that of a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)–Hb composite electrode, the catalytic current of a PEDOT nanowhiskers–AuNPs–Hb composite electrode for detecting H2O2 is increased 7 fold. A novel model of a H2O2 biosensor based on the PEDOT nanowhiskers–AuNPs–Hb composites was fabricated. The detection limit was estimated to be 0.6 μM at a signal/noise (S/N) ratio of 3, and the linear range of H2O2 concentration was from 1 μM to 1100 μM. Three constructed models of the biosensors showed a good stability, and all of them retained nearly 90% of their initial signals for 1 mM H2O2 when they were stored at 4 °C after 60 days. H2O2 concentration in contact lens nursing liquid was measured by the biosensor, and the results were in good agreement with the values provided by the supplier. It is shown that the PEDOT nanowhiskers can provide a new opportunity for the design of sensitive biosensors with long-term stability.
Co-reporter:Cuie Zhao, Panpan Gai, Changhong Liu, Xin Wang, Hao Xu, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 vol. 1(Issue 40) pp:12587-12594
Publication Date(Web):14 Aug 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3TA12947K
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) show promise as a technology for electricity generation from waste, and their performance critically depends on the electrode materials and their structures. Herein, a novel MFC anode was fabricated by electro-depositing polyaniline (PANI) networks onto graphene nanoribbons (GNRs)-coated carbon paper (CP/GNRs/PANI). This anode provides a large surface area for the attachment of bacterial cells and high conductivity to facilitate extracellular electron transfer (EET) from microbes to the electrode. Results showed that the anodic current density and power density of the CP/GNRs/PANI anode were much higher than those of each individual component as anode, indicating the synergistic effect between PANI and GNRs.
Co-reporter:Cuie Zhao, Ying Wang, Fengjian Shi, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2013 vol. 49(Issue 59) pp:6668-6670
Publication Date(Web):04 Jun 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CC42068J
The positively-charged ionic liquid functionalized graphene nanosheets (IL-GNS) were used as an anode in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), and proved effective for the high biocurrent generation and power output.
Co-reporter:Dong Sun, Rui Ban, Peng-Hui Zhang, Ge-Hui Wu, Jian-Rong Zhang, Jun-Jie Zhu
Carbon 2013 Volume 64() pp:424-434
Publication Date(Web):November 2013
DOI:10.1016/j.carbon.2013.07.095
A novel one-step approach was developed for the large-scale synthesis of sulfur- and nitrogen-co-doped carbon dots (S–N–C-dots) by using sulfuric acid carbonization and etching of hair fiber. It was found that S and N can form different binding configurations in S–N–C-dots framework, such as –C–S– covalent bond of the thiophene-S and –C–SOx– (x = 2, 3, 4, sulfate or sulfonate) for S-doped, pyridinic N and pyrrolic N for N-doped, respectively. Moreover, higher reaction temperature was in favor of the formation of S–N–C-dots with smaller size, higher S content, and longer wavelength of photoluminescence emissions. The resulting S–N–C-dots also exhibited good luminescence stability, low toxicity, good biocompatibility, and high solubility. This approach may provide an efficient strategy for synthesizing heteroatom-co-doped carbon dots.
Co-reporter:Fang Jiang, Jing-Jing Zhang, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analyst 2013 vol. 138(Issue 7) pp:1962-1965
Publication Date(Web):08 Feb 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3AN00006K
A dual signal amplification strategy was designed for electrochemical detection of matrix metalloproteinase-9 with the integration of electrically heated carbon electrode technique and quantum dots labels.
Co-reporter:Rui Ban, Jingjing Li, Juntao Cao, Penghui Zhang, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-jie Zhu
Analytical Methods 2013 vol. 5(Issue 21) pp:5929-5937
Publication Date(Web):21 Aug 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3AY41189C
High-quality glutathione (GSH) capped ZnS:Mn/ZnS core/shell doped quantum dots (d-dots) with pure dopant emission band and excellent stability have been synthesized directly in aqueous media. The influences of experimental variables on the luminescent properties of the ZnS:Mn/ZnS nanocrystals have been investigated. The quantum yield of the dopant Mn photoluminescence in the as-prepared ZnS:Mn/ZnS core/shell d-dots can be up to 27.4%. The value is the highest reported to date for ZnS:Mn d-dots via the direct aqueous synthetic method. Their optical features and structure have been characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) in detail. Additionally, the stability study against UV irradiation indicated that the obtained d-dots possess excellent photostability. Furthermore, the MTT assay demonstrated that the ZnS:Mn QDs do not exhibit any cytotoxicity toward HeLa cells up to a concentration of 600 μg mL−1. Using the Con A-mannose recognition system as a model, Con A functionalized ZnS:Mn/ZnS nanocrystals were prepared and successfully used for targeted mannosyl groups expression on the HeLa cells surface. Our investigation clearly shows that the GSH capped ZnS:Mn QDs are promising candidates as biological fluorescent labels.
Co-reporter:Dong Zhu, Wei Li, Hong-Mei Wen, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Methods 2013 vol. 5(Issue 17) pp:4321-4324
Publication Date(Web):02 Jul 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3AY40907D
The improvement of analytical accuracy and S/N (signal to noise ratio) based on conventional homogeneous fluorometry was always limited because of high background noise from complicated sample ingredients, buffer solution and lysates. Herein, a self-assembled Mn-doped ZnSe quantum dot–methyl viologen nanohybrid as an OFF–ON fluorescent probe is presented for the time-resolved fluorescence detection of tiopronin, showing high S/N and selectivity with a low detection limit of 0.1 μmol L−1 and a linear response ranging from 4 to 160 μM. We anticipate that this probe will have promising applications for sensitive biosensing and drug analysis.
Co-reporter:Dong Sun;Li Jin;Yun Chen; Jian-Rong Zhang; Jun-Jie Zhu
ChemPlusChem 2013 Volume 78( Issue 3) pp:227-234
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/cplu.201200206
Abstract
A graphene/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (G/PEDOT) hybrid was prepared by the in situ polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene using the precursor of graphene, graphene oxide, as an oxidant under microwave heating. The G/PEDOT hybrid was characterized by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of G/PEDOT hybrid electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. The G/PEDOT hybrid as a supercapacitor electrode material afforded high specific capacitance and good cycling stability (93 % retention after 10 000 cycles at a high current density of 5 A g−1) during the charge–discharge process. A maximum specific capacitance as high as 270 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 was achieved in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution. In addition, the energy density of the G/PEDOT hybrid reached 34 W h kg−1 at a power density of 25 kW kg−1.
Co-reporter:Ying Wang;Cui-e Zhao;Dong Sun; Jian-Rong Zhang; Jun-Jie Zhu
ChemPlusChem 2013 Volume 78( Issue 8) pp:823-829
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/cplu.201300102
Abstract
A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an innovative power-output device, which utilizes microorganisms to metabolize fuel and transfers electrons to the electrode surface. In this study, we decorated the surface of graphene (G) with a conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), through galvanostatic electropolymerization to fabricate a G/PEDOT hybrid anode for an Escherichia coli MFC. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses illustrated that the G/PEDOT hybrid anode possesses a larger active surface area and lower charge-transfer resistance than three other kinds of anodes, namely, carbon paper (CP), graphene-modified carbon paper (CP/G), and PEDOT-modified carbon paper (CP/PEDOT). Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the bacteria growth on the four anodes. A compact biofilm was formed on the hybrid anode owing to the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged bacteria and positively charged PEDOT backbone. The constant-load (1 KΩ) discharge curves of MFCs with CP, CP/G, CP/PEDOT, and G/PEDOT anodes revealed that the G/PEDOT electrode had good stability and high voltage output. The G/PEDOT anode generated a maximum power density of 873 mW m−2, which is about 15 times higher than that of CP (55 mW m−2) in an H-shaped dual-chamber MFC. All the experimental results suggest that the performance of the G/PEDOT hybrid anode is superior to the CP, CP/G, or CP/PEDOT anode.
Co-reporter:Yun Chen, Yang Li, Dong Sun, Danbi Tian, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 vol. 21(Issue 21) pp:7604-7611
Publication Date(Web):08 Apr 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1JM10293A
The hydrophilic and carboxyl group functionalized graphene–gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hybrid has been synthesized in situ. AuNPs can be scattered well on the graphene bilayer, and the loading amount of AuNPs can be controlled. Glucose oxidase (GOD) was successfully bound to the surface of the hybrid through a condensation reaction between terminal amino groups on the lysine residues of GOD and carboxyl groups on the AuNPs. The hybrid provided a suitable microenvironment for GOD to retain its biological activity. The direct and reversible electron transfer process between GOD and the hybrid electrode was realized without any supporting film or electron mediator. A novel model of the glucose biosensor based on the hybrid electrode was fabricated. Blood sugar concentrations measured in human serum samples by the glucose biosensor were in good agreement with the values provided by the Nanjing University hospital, and the average relative standard deviation was 3.2% for six successive measurements. Three constructed biosensors showed good stability, and all of them retained 80% of their initial signals after they were stored at 4 °C for four months. It is promising that the model of the glucose biosensor can be used as an effective candidate for the detection of blood sugar concentration in clinical diagnoses.
Co-reporter:Yun Chen, Yuanyuan Shen, Dong Sun, Hongyi Zhang, Danbi Tian, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2011 vol. 47(Issue 42) pp:11733-11735
Publication Date(Web):26 Aug 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1CC13852A
A dispersible graphene/gold nanoclusters hybrid in aqueous solution was fabricated in situ based on the bilayer graphene template, and its electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) behavior was studied.
Co-reporter:Jing-Jing Zhang, Ting-Ting Zheng, Fang-Fang Cheng, Jian-Rong Zhang, and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Chemistry 2011 Volume 83(Issue 20) pp:7902
Publication Date(Web):September 4, 2011
DOI:10.1021/ac201804b
The ability for early evaluation of therapeutic effects is a significant challenge in leukemia research. To address this challenge, we developed a novel electrochemical platform for ultrasensitive and selective detection of apoptotic cells in response to therapy. In order to construct the platform, a novel three-dimensional (3-D) architecture was initially fabricated after combining nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles via a layer-by-layer method. The formed architecture provided an effective matrix for annexin V with high stability and bioactivity to enhance sensitivity. On the basis of the specific recognition between annexin V and phosphatidylserine on the apoptotic cell membrane, the annexin V/3-D architecture interface showed a predominant capability for apoptotic cell capture. Moreover, a lectin-based nanoprobe was designed by noncovalent assembly of concanavalin A on CdTe quantum dots (QDs)-labeled silica nanospheres with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) as a linker. This nanoprobe incorporated both the specific carbohydrate recognition and the multilabeled QDs-based signal amplification. By coupling with the QDs-based nanoprobe and electrochemical stripping analysis, the proposed sandwich-type cytosensor showed an excellent analytical performance for the ultrasensitive detection of apoptotic cells (as low as 48 cells), revealing great potential toward the early evaluation of therapeutic effects.
Co-reporter:Dong Zhu, Yun Chen, Liping Jiang, Jun Geng, Jianrong Zhang, and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Chemistry 2011 Volume 83(Issue 23) pp:9076
Publication Date(Web):October 26, 2011
DOI:10.1021/ac202101u
Quantum dots (QDs) are generally used for the conventional fluorescence detection. However, it is difficult for the QDs to be applied in time-resolved fluorometry due to their short-lived emission. In this paper, high-quality Mn-doped ZnSe QDs with long-lived emission were prepared using a green and rapid microwave-assisted synthetic approach in aqueous solution. Fluorescence lifetime of the Mn-doped ZnSe QDs was extended as long as 400 μs, which was 10 000 times higher than that of conventional QDs such as CdS, CdSe, and CdTe. The QDs exhibited an excellent photostability over 35 h under continuous irradiation at 260 nm. Capped with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), the Mn-doped ZnSe QDs were used for the time-resolved fluorescence detection of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with the detection limit of 128 nM. The relative standard deviation for seven independent measurements of 1.5 μM 5-FU was 3.8%, and the recovery ranged from 93% to 106%. The results revealed that the Mn-doped ZnSe QDs could be a good candidate as a luminescence probe for highly sensitive time-resolved fluorometry.
Co-reporter:Dong Zhu, Xiaoxing Jiang, Cuie Zhao, Xiaolian Sun, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2010 vol. 46(Issue 29) pp:5226-5228
Publication Date(Web):23 Jun 2010
DOI:10.1039/C0CC00791A
A microwave-assisted synthetic procedure is presented for the preparation of low-toxic Mn:ZnSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals to label antibodies for selective detection of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the Mn:ZnSe/ZnS and Au nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Co-reporter:Liang Zhao, Peng Cheng, Jianxin Li, Yue Zhang, Miaomiao Gu, Jun Liu, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Analytical Chemistry 2009 Volume 81(Issue 16) pp:7075
Publication Date(Web):July 27, 2009
DOI:10.1021/ac901121f
This technical note describes a facile technique to screen some anticancer drugs and evaluate their effects on nonadhesive leukemic cells in an easily fabricated microfluidic device by utilizing the Annexin V conjugated quantum dots as apoptosis detection probes. The cell immobilizing structures and gradient-generating channels were integrated within the device which was fabricated in one-single step. The nonadhesive leukemic HL-60 cells can be felicitously immobilized and cultured on the dam structures at a proper lateral pressure. We then delivered Annexin V functionalized quantum dots which can readily bind to the outer membrane of apoptotic cells and distinguish the apoptosis from unaffected cells with single cell level resolution. The diffusion time of quantum dots reduced to 5 min before imaging. The capabilities of evaluating drug effect on HL-60 cell line have been shown in both population way and individual cell level. The technique presented herein can bridge the gap between the quantum dots based in vitro cell imaging and the analysis of individual apoptotic cell in a microfluidic system, allows an easy operating protocol to screen some clinically available anticancer drugs.
Co-reporter:Wen-Lei Zhu, Yang Zhou, Jian-Rong Zhang
Talanta 2009 Volume 80(Issue 1) pp:224-230
Publication Date(Web):15 November 2009
DOI:10.1016/j.talanta.2009.06.056
A novel biosensor based on the silica-coated gold nanorods (GNRs@SiO2) and hydrophilic room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluroborate ([bmim][BF4]) was fabricated for the determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrite. GNRs@SiO2 can not only act as a binder to hinder [bmim][BF4] (RTIL) leaking from the electrode surface, but also provide a favorable microenvironment for direct electrochemistry of myoglobin (Mb). A pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible redox peaks of Mb was obtained at the GNRs@SiO2–Mb/RTIL–sol–gel composite film modified GCE (GNRs@SiO2–Mb/RTIL–sol–gel/GCE) through direct electron transfer between Mb and the underlying electrode. This biosensor showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen peroxide and nitrite. The linear range for the determination of H2O2 was from 0.2 to 180 μM with a detection limit of 0.12 μM based on the signal-to-noise ratio of 3. In addition, the biosensor also exhibited high selectivity, good reproducibility, and long-term stability. Therefore, this kind of composite film can provide an ideal matrix for protein immobilization and biosensor fabrication.
Co-reporter:Keke Liu, Zhenglong Hu, Rong Xue, Jianrong Zhang, Junjie Zhu
Journal of Power Sources 2008 Volume 179(Issue 2) pp:858-862
Publication Date(Web):1 May 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.01.024
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has been successfully electropolymerized using a purified 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]) as both the growth medium and the supporting electrolyte. The electrochemical performance of the PEDOT thin film was investigated in 1 mol L−1 H2SO4 solution. It possesses nearly ideal capacitive property, and its specific capacitance is about 130 F g−1. Compared with other conducting polymers, enhanced cycling lifetime (up to 70,000 cycles), which is close to that of active carbon materials, was observed on repetitive redox cycling.
Co-reporter:Fang Zhou, Wei Wang, Wen-Ya Wu, Jian-Rong Zhang, Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Chromatography A 2008 Volume 1194(Issue 2) pp:221-224
Publication Date(Web):20 June 2008
DOI:10.1016/j.chroma.2008.03.085
A novel method for low electroosmotic flow (EOF) rates measurement by tilting microchip which based upon the hydrostatic pressure conception and sampling zone method is described. Sampling zone could be detected in the tilting microchip but not in non-tilting one due to the hydrostatic pressure driven. The method is fulfilled to calculate low EOF rates by detecting the liquid flow velocity driven by hydrostatic pressure, and difference between the apparent mobility of the migrating analyte in two modes is caused by the effect of hydrostatic pressure. And then the EOF rates in unknown low EOF microchip can be calculated. Different microchannels modified with bovine serum albumin (BSA), myoglobin (MB) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were used to verify the method, the EOF rate value was 1.73 ± 0.03, 1.21 ± 0.05, 0.34 ± 0.04 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. The results obtained by the proposed method were agreed well with conventional methods.
Co-reporter:Wei Wang, Liang Zhao, Fang Zhou, Jun-Jie Zhu, Jian-Rong Zhang
Talanta 2007 Volume 73(Issue 3) pp:534-539
Publication Date(Web):30 September 2007
DOI:10.1016/j.talanta.2007.04.024
An electroosmotic flow (EOF)-switchable poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic channel modified with cysteine has been developed. The native PDMS channel was coated with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), and then gold nanoparticles by layer-by-layer technique was assembled on PDDA to immobilize cysteine. The assembly was followed by infrared spectroscopy/attenuated total reflection method, contact angle, EOF measurements and electrophoretic separation methods. EOF of this channel can be reversibly switched by varying the pH of running buffer. At low pH, the surface of channels is positively charged, EOF is from cathode to anode. At high pH, the surface is negatively charged, EOF is from anode to cathode. At pH 5.0, near the isoelectric point of the chemisorbed cysteine, the surfaces of channels show neutral. When pH is above 6.0 or below 4.0, the magnitude of EOF varies in a narrow range. And the modified channel surface displayed high reproducibility and good stability, a good reversibility of cathodic–anodic EOF transition under the different pH conditions was observed. Separation of dopamine and epinephrine as well as arginine and histidine were performed on the modified chip.
Co-reporter:Yun Chen, Panpan Gai, Li Jin, Dong Zhu, Danbi Tian, E. S. Abdel-Halim, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 - vol. 1(Issue 28) pp:NaN3457-3457
Publication Date(Web):2013/05/28
DOI:10.1039/C3TB20513D
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanowhiskers were fabricated in a [bmim][BF4] ionic liquid. The minimal size of the nanowhiskers is only 0.2 nm, and the size matches the thickness of a PEDOT single-molecular chain. They were successfully used as the electron transfer channels between the active center of hemoglobin (Hb) and an underlying electrode. The direct electron transfer process between Hb and the underlying electrode was realized without any electron mediator. Compared to that of a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)–Hb composite electrode, the catalytic current of a PEDOT nanowhiskers–AuNPs–Hb composite electrode for detecting H2O2 is increased 7 fold. A novel model of a H2O2 biosensor based on the PEDOT nanowhiskers–AuNPs–Hb composites was fabricated. The detection limit was estimated to be 0.6 μM at a signal/noise (S/N) ratio of 3, and the linear range of H2O2 concentration was from 1 μM to 1100 μM. Three constructed models of the biosensors showed a good stability, and all of them retained nearly 90% of their initial signals for 1 mM H2O2 when they were stored at 4 °C after 60 days. H2O2 concentration in contact lens nursing liquid was measured by the biosensor, and the results were in good agreement with the values provided by the supplier. It is shown that the PEDOT nanowhiskers can provide a new opportunity for the design of sensitive biosensors with long-term stability.
Co-reporter:Yun Chen, Yang Li, Dong Sun, Danbi Tian, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 - vol. 21(Issue 21) pp:NaN7611-7611
Publication Date(Web):2011/04/08
DOI:10.1039/C1JM10293A
The hydrophilic and carboxyl group functionalized graphene–gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hybrid has been synthesized in situ. AuNPs can be scattered well on the graphene bilayer, and the loading amount of AuNPs can be controlled. Glucose oxidase (GOD) was successfully bound to the surface of the hybrid through a condensation reaction between terminal amino groups on the lysine residues of GOD and carboxyl groups on the AuNPs. The hybrid provided a suitable microenvironment for GOD to retain its biological activity. The direct and reversible electron transfer process between GOD and the hybrid electrode was realized without any supporting film or electron mediator. A novel model of the glucose biosensor based on the hybrid electrode was fabricated. Blood sugar concentrations measured in human serum samples by the glucose biosensor were in good agreement with the values provided by the Nanjing University hospital, and the average relative standard deviation was 3.2% for six successive measurements. Three constructed biosensors showed good stability, and all of them retained 80% of their initial signals after they were stored at 4 °C for four months. It is promising that the model of the glucose biosensor can be used as an effective candidate for the detection of blood sugar concentration in clinical diagnoses.
Co-reporter:Cuie Zhao, Panpan Gai, Changhong Liu, Xin Wang, Hao Xu, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2013 - vol. 1(Issue 40) pp:NaN12594-12594
Publication Date(Web):2013/08/14
DOI:10.1039/C3TA12947K
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) show promise as a technology for electricity generation from waste, and their performance critically depends on the electrode materials and their structures. Herein, a novel MFC anode was fabricated by electro-depositing polyaniline (PANI) networks onto graphene nanoribbons (GNRs)-coated carbon paper (CP/GNRs/PANI). This anode provides a large surface area for the attachment of bacterial cells and high conductivity to facilitate extracellular electron transfer (EET) from microbes to the electrode. Results showed that the anodic current density and power density of the CP/GNRs/PANI anode were much higher than those of each individual component as anode, indicating the synergistic effect between PANI and GNRs.
Co-reporter:Yun Chen, Panpan Gai, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 21) pp:NaN11516-11516
Publication Date(Web):2015/04/20
DOI:10.1039/C5TA01432H
Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) utilize redox enzymes as the catalysts to produce energy from green and renewable fuels, and are considered as promising, environmentally friendly power sources. However, EBFCs are limited by the relatively slow rate of electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes, which is a major barrier to improving EBFC power output. In this study, enzymes were bound to the hydrophilic, carboxyl group functionalized graphene–gold nanoparticle hybrid, and the hybrid as electrode material was able to increase the rate of electron transfer in the EBFC. The open-circuit voltage (Eocvcell) of this designed EBFC reached 1.16 ± 0.02 V, and the maximal power density (Pmax) was as high as 1.96 ± 0.13 mW cm−2. Two as-prepared EBFC units arranged in series were able to light up red and yellow light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Also, using these EBFCs, the Eocvcell and Pmax retained 80% and 66% of their optimal values over 70 days, respectively. This fabricated EBFC is expected to find applications in the bioenergy fields.
Co-reporter:Dong Zhu, Xiaoxing Jiang, Cuie Zhao, Xiaolian Sun, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2010 - vol. 46(Issue 29) pp:NaN5228-5228
Publication Date(Web):2010/06/23
DOI:10.1039/C0CC00791A
A microwave-assisted synthetic procedure is presented for the preparation of low-toxic Mn:ZnSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals to label antibodies for selective detection of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the Mn:ZnSe/ZnS and Au nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Co-reporter:Yun Chen, Yuanyuan Shen, Dong Sun, Hongyi Zhang, Danbi Tian, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2011 - vol. 47(Issue 42) pp:NaN11735-11735
Publication Date(Web):2011/08/26
DOI:10.1039/C1CC13852A
A dispersible graphene/gold nanoclusters hybrid in aqueous solution was fabricated in situ based on the bilayer graphene template, and its electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) behavior was studied.
Co-reporter:Cuie Zhao, Ying Wang, Fengjian Shi, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2013 - vol. 49(Issue 59) pp:NaN6670-6670
Publication Date(Web):2013/06/04
DOI:10.1039/C3CC42068J
The positively-charged ionic liquid functionalized graphene nanosheets (IL-GNS) were used as an anode in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), and proved effective for the high biocurrent generation and power output.
Co-reporter:Panpan Gai, Rongbin Song, Cheng Zhu, Yusheng Ji, Wengjing Wang, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2015 - vol. 51(Issue 94) pp:NaN16766-16766
Publication Date(Web):2015/09/25
DOI:10.1039/C5CC07520C
An exogenous redox-free, membrane-less enzyme biofuel cell-based ultrasensitive self-powered cytosensing platform was fabricated. With the ultrahigh sensitivity and the merits of not requiring external power sources or exogenous reagents, the device has great potential as a point-of-care tool for early diagnosis of cancer in vivo.
Co-reporter:Panpan Gai, Rongbin Song, Cheng Zhu, Yusheng Ji, Yun Chen, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2015 - vol. 51(Issue 79) pp:NaN14738-14738
Publication Date(Web):2015/08/06
DOI:10.1039/C5CC06062A
A novel ternary hybrid of carbon nanotubes/graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets/gold nanoparticles was prepared and used as robust substrate electrodes for fabricating membrane-less glucose/O2 enzyme biofuel cells (EBFCs), and a remarkably improved power output was observed for the prepared EBFC.
Co-reporter:
Analytical Methods (2009-Present) 2013 - vol. 5(Issue 21) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1039/C3AY41189C
High-quality glutathione (GSH) capped ZnS:Mn/ZnS core/shell doped quantum dots (d-dots) with pure dopant emission band and excellent stability have been synthesized directly in aqueous media. The influences of experimental variables on the luminescent properties of the ZnS:Mn/ZnS nanocrystals have been investigated. The quantum yield of the dopant Mn photoluminescence in the as-prepared ZnS:Mn/ZnS core/shell d-dots can be up to 27.4%. The value is the highest reported to date for ZnS:Mn d-dots via the direct aqueous synthetic method. Their optical features and structure have been characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) in detail. Additionally, the stability study against UV irradiation indicated that the obtained d-dots possess excellent photostability. Furthermore, the MTT assay demonstrated that the ZnS:Mn QDs do not exhibit any cytotoxicity toward HeLa cells up to a concentration of 600 μg mL−1. Using the Con A-mannose recognition system as a model, Con A functionalized ZnS:Mn/ZnS nanocrystals were prepared and successfully used for targeted mannosyl groups expression on the HeLa cells surface. Our investigation clearly shows that the GSH capped ZnS:Mn QDs are promising candidates as biological fluorescent labels.
Co-reporter:
Analytical Methods (2009-Present) 2013 - vol. 5(Issue 17) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1039/C3AY40907D
The improvement of analytical accuracy and S/N (signal to noise ratio) based on conventional homogeneous fluorometry was always limited because of high background noise from complicated sample ingredients, buffer solution and lysates. Herein, a self-assembled Mn-doped ZnSe quantum dot–methyl viologen nanohybrid as an OFF–ON fluorescent probe is presented for the time-resolved fluorescence detection of tiopronin, showing high S/N and selectivity with a low detection limit of 0.1 μmol L−1 and a linear response ranging from 4 to 160 μM. We anticipate that this probe will have promising applications for sensitive biosensing and drug analysis.
Co-reporter:Cui-e Zhao, Panpan Gai, Rongbin Song, Ying Chen, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Society Reviews 2017 - vol. 46(Issue 5) pp:NaN1564-1564
Publication Date(Web):2017/02/17
DOI:10.1039/C6CS00044D
During the past decade, biofuel cells (BFCs) have emerged as an emerging technology on account of their ability to directly generate electricity from biologically renewable catalysts and fuels. Due to the boost in nanotechnology, significant advances have been accomplished in BFCs. Although it is still challenging to promote the performance of BFCs, adopting nanostructured materials for BFC construction has been extensively proposed as an effective and promising strategy to achieve high energy production. In this review, we presented the major novel nanostructured materials applied for BFCs and highlighted the breakthroughs in this field. Based on different natures of the bio-catalysts and electron transfer process at the bio-electrode surfaces, the fundamentals of BFC systems, including enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) and microbial fuel cells (MFCs), have been elucidated. In particular, the principle of electrode materials design has been detailed in terms of enhancing electrical communications between biological catalysts and electrodes. Furthermore, we have provided the applications of BFCs and potential challenges of this technology.
Co-reporter:Wenjing Wang, Shan Huang, Jingjing Li, Kai Rui, Sai Bi, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Science (2010-Present) 2017 - vol. 8(Issue 1) pp:NaN180-180
Publication Date(Web):2016/08/01
DOI:10.1039/C6SC01953F
Telomerase plays a vital role in cancer and aging, and telomerase activity detection has drawn great attention recently. However, a feasible in situ imaging system for intracellular telomerase is still a challenge. Here, we develop a novel approach to image intracellular telomerase activity using DNA-based computation. A cascade nucleic acid logic gate that responded to intracellular telomerase was constructed. A telomerase substrate (TS) probe, extended by intracellular telomerase, worked as an input to initiate computation cascades. In this way, intracellular telomerase could be clearly indicated by fluorophore labeled nucleic acids as the output. Through one-step incubation, evaluation of the intracellular telomerase activity for a HeLa cell line and the ability to differentiate cancer cells from normal cells could be realized. Furthermore, the response of intracellular telomerase activity to a telomerase-inhibiting model drug was observed using the proposed method. Thus, this intracellular telomerase computation device will allow improvements in studying the relationship between telomerase and cancer, and may help to develop telomerase inhibitors. This finding also expands the applications of DNA computational techniques in cells.
Co-reporter:Yusheng Ji, Panpan Gai, Jun Feng, Linlin Wang, Jianrong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2017 - vol. 5(Issue 22) pp:NaN11031-11031
Publication Date(Web):2017/05/02
DOI:10.1039/C7TA01931A
Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) are considered as a promising approach to meet the requirements of power sources. Electrode materials, which are significant factors to affect the power output of EBFCs, have aroused great interest. Herein, we developed an EBFC using a Fe3O4–carbon nanofiber/gold nanoparticle hybrid as the substrate electrode for improving the performance of the power output. The open-circuit voltage (Eocv) of the designed EBFC reached 0.68 ± 0.03 V, and the maximum power density (Pmax) reached 126 ± 4.5 μW cm−2. The as-prepared EBFC showed 3 times higher Pmax compared to the EBFC based on the carbon nanofiber/gold nanoparticle hybrid, which was ascribed to the good electrocatalytic activity of Fe3O4 NP loaded carbon nanofibers (CNFs), the 3D porous structure of CNFs as well as the uniform distribution of Au NPs. The Fe3O4–CNF/gold nanoparticle hybrid is considered as a promising candidate for constructing electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells.
Co-reporter:Gao-Chao Fan, Hua Zhu, Qingming Shen, Li Han, Ming Zhao, Jian-Rong Zhang and Jun-Jie Zhu
Chemical Communications 2015 - vol. 51(Issue 32) pp:NaN7026-7026
Publication Date(Web):2015/03/16
DOI:10.1039/C5CC01935D
High-efficient exciton energy transfer between CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots and SiO2@Au nanocomposites was applied to develop an enhanced photoelectrochemical aptasensing platform with ultrahigh sensitivity, good selectivity, reproducibility and stability.
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