Passivation of the electrode surface and fouling are important challenges in electroanalysis during the use of modified electrodes in complex matrices, especially in the biomedical and environmental fields [1-2]. In order to overcome such problems, the production of highly engineered ad hoc designed devices could access really effective sensors [2]. In particular, a performing, reliable and reusable sensor, that could be cleaned by a simple irradiation with UV or solar light, would be perfect for this purpose. In this context, a three-layered transparent electrode, in which silver nanoparticles are embedded between a bottom silica and a top titania layer was developed [3-4]. Such structure confers to the device multifunctional properties for a complex biomedical challenge: the detection and quantification of catecholamine neurotransmitters. The sensor was thoroughly investigated by structural, morphological and electrochemical characterizations in order to understand the role of each component with the aim to improve the robustness and efficiency of the electroanalytical system. The overlayer was made of anatase (the active polymorph of titanium dioxide) as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and by measuring the photodegradation of model contaminants. The size distribution of silver nanoparticles, the device architecture and surface homogeneity were inspected by electron microscopy. Electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) revealed that a highly ordered distribution of silver nanoparticles constitutes the active core of the device, allowing easier electron transfer and better quantification of the analytes even in the presence of conventional interferents, e.g. ascorbic and uric acid. Titania photoactive top layer allowed total recovery of the device performance in terms of sensitivity after a fast and simple UV-A cleaning step, affordable with different UV sources. This self-cleaning property, combined with a remarkable resistance against aging and ease of use, allows to employ the sensor also in on-field and remote applications. References 1. C.M.A. Brett, Pure Appl. Chem. 73, 2001, pp 1969–1977. 2. C.M. Welch, R.G. Compton, Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 384, 2006, pp 601–619. 3. G. Maino, D. Meroni, V. Pifferi, L. Falciola, G. Soliveri, G. Cappelletti, S. Ardizzone, J. Nanoparticle Res. 15, 2013, pp 2087. 4. G. Soliveri, V. Pifferi, G. Panzarasa, S. Ardizzone, G. Cappelletti, D. Meroni, K. Sparnacci, L. Falciola, Analyst 140, 2015, 1486-1494.

Self-cleaning features of an innovative engineered sensor based on silica, silver nanoparticles and titania / V. Pifferi, G. Soliveri, G. Cappelletti, D. Meroni, S. Ardizzone, G. Panzarasa, K. Sparnacci, L. Falciola. ((Intervento presentato al convegno Giornata del Gruppo Interdivisionale Sensori della Società Chimica Italiana tenutosi a Parma nel 2015.

Self-cleaning features of an innovative engineered sensor based on silica, silver nanoparticles and titania

V. Pifferi;G. Soliveri;G. Cappelletti;D. Meroni;S. Ardizzone;L. Falciola
2015

Abstract

Passivation of the electrode surface and fouling are important challenges in electroanalysis during the use of modified electrodes in complex matrices, especially in the biomedical and environmental fields [1-2]. In order to overcome such problems, the production of highly engineered ad hoc designed devices could access really effective sensors [2]. In particular, a performing, reliable and reusable sensor, that could be cleaned by a simple irradiation with UV or solar light, would be perfect for this purpose. In this context, a three-layered transparent electrode, in which silver nanoparticles are embedded between a bottom silica and a top titania layer was developed [3-4]. Such structure confers to the device multifunctional properties for a complex biomedical challenge: the detection and quantification of catecholamine neurotransmitters. The sensor was thoroughly investigated by structural, morphological and electrochemical characterizations in order to understand the role of each component with the aim to improve the robustness and efficiency of the electroanalytical system. The overlayer was made of anatase (the active polymorph of titanium dioxide) as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and by measuring the photodegradation of model contaminants. The size distribution of silver nanoparticles, the device architecture and surface homogeneity were inspected by electron microscopy. Electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) revealed that a highly ordered distribution of silver nanoparticles constitutes the active core of the device, allowing easier electron transfer and better quantification of the analytes even in the presence of conventional interferents, e.g. ascorbic and uric acid. Titania photoactive top layer allowed total recovery of the device performance in terms of sensitivity after a fast and simple UV-A cleaning step, affordable with different UV sources. This self-cleaning property, combined with a remarkable resistance against aging and ease of use, allows to employ the sensor also in on-field and remote applications. References 1. C.M.A. Brett, Pure Appl. Chem. 73, 2001, pp 1969–1977. 2. C.M. Welch, R.G. Compton, Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 384, 2006, pp 601–619. 3. G. Maino, D. Meroni, V. Pifferi, L. Falciola, G. Soliveri, G. Cappelletti, S. Ardizzone, J. Nanoparticle Res. 15, 2013, pp 2087. 4. G. Soliveri, V. Pifferi, G. Panzarasa, S. Ardizzone, G. Cappelletti, D. Meroni, K. Sparnacci, L. Falciola, Analyst 140, 2015, 1486-1494.
giu-2015
Settore CHIM/01 - Chimica Analitica
Settore CHIM/02 - Chimica Fisica
Self-cleaning features of an innovative engineered sensor based on silica, silver nanoparticles and titania / V. Pifferi, G. Soliveri, G. Cappelletti, D. Meroni, S. Ardizzone, G. Panzarasa, K. Sparnacci, L. Falciola. ((Intervento presentato al convegno Giornata del Gruppo Interdivisionale Sensori della Società Chimica Italiana tenutosi a Parma nel 2015.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/284709
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