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The citrate-based thermoset elastomer is a promising candidate for bone scaffold material, but the harsh curing condition made it difficult to fabricate porous structure. Recently, poly (1, 8-octanediol-co-Pluronic F127 citrate) (POFC) porous scaffold was creatively fabricated by chitin nanofibrils (ChiNFs) supported emulsion-freeze-casting. Thanks to the supporting role of ChiNFs, the lamellar pore structure formed by directional freeze-drying was maintained during the subsequent thermocuring. Herein, bioactive glass (BG) was introduced into the POFC porous scaffolds to improve bioactivity. It was found the complete replacement of ChiNF particles with BG particles could not form a stable porous structure; however, existing at least 15 wt% ChiNF could ensure the formation of lamellar pore, and the interlamellar distance increased with BG ratios. Thus, the BG granules did not contribute to the formation of pore structure like ChiNFs, however, they surely endowed the scaffolds with enhanced mechanical properties, improved osteogenesis bioactivity, better cytocompatibility as well as quick degradation rate. Reasonably adjusting BG ratios could balance the requirements of porous structure and bioactivity.

Aptamers are special types of single-stranded DNA generated by a process called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Due to significant advances in the chemical synthesis and biotechnological production, aptamers have gained considerable attention as versatile building blocks for the next generation of soft materials. Hydrogels are high water-retainable materials with a three-dimensional (3D) polymeric network. Aptamers, as a vital element, have greatly expanded the applications of hydrogels. Due to their biocompatibility, selective binding, and molecular recognition, aptamer-based hydrogels can be utilized for bioanalytical and biomedical applications. In this review, we focus on the latest strategies of aptamer-based hydrogels in bioanalytical and biomedical applications. We begin this review with an overview of the underlying design principles for the construction of aptamer-based hydrogels. Next, we will discuss some bioanalytical and biomedical applications of aptamer-based hydrogel including biosensing, target capture and release, logic devices, gene and cancer therapy. Finally, the recent progress of aptamer-based hydrogels is discussed, along with challenges and future perspectives.

A novel amaranth electrochemical sensor was produced by electrodepositing a molecularly imprinted polypyrrole film in the presence of amaranth on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) surface. Template molecules were completely eluted through an innovative strategy that only requires the application of a fixed electrical potential in a blank phosphate buffer solution. Obviously, this strategy is much faster and more eco-friendly. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensor was systematically investigated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The resultant MIP/MWCNT modified glass carbon electrode (MIP/MWCNT/GCE) shows satisfactory electroactive surface area and charge transfer resistance. As expected, the electrochemical response signals were significantly amplified at the MIP/MWCNT/GCE. Under optimal conditions, the proposed MIP/MWCNT/GCE exhibits extraordinarily good analytical performance for amaranth detection, with two wide detection ranges (0.007 μM to 1.0 μM, and 0.40 μM to 17 μM) and detection possible down to 0.4 nM. Moreover, the polypyrrole MIP films show high binding affinity and specifically identifies amaranth molecules, enabling the robust detection of amaranth in a complicated matrix with excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. The proposed sensor achieves accurate detection of amaranth concentration in various fruit drinks with acceptable recovery.

Degradable bioelastomers as porous scaffold materials have great potentials in tissue regeneration due to their compatible mechanical properties to the body’s soft tissues. A citrate-based elastomer is a recently developed bioelastomer possessing good surface affinities toward many cell types, but its insoluble and unmeltable characteristics caused difficulties in fabricating porous scaffolds. Herein, a new method where chitin nanocrystal (ChiNC) supported emulsion-freeze-casting was utilized to fabricate porous scaffolds of thermoset elastomer. ChiNC was initially used as a Pickering emulsifier to stabilize prepolymer latex spheres, then as a supporting agent to prevent ice-templated pores from collapse during thermocuring, and last as a biobased nanofiller to reinforce the porous scaffold. When ChiNC loading was at least 15% or greater, the directional porous structure were facilely obtained via use of a thick-walled Teflon container in a freezer at −40 °C. The nanocomposite elastomer porous scaffold ex...

Chitin nanocrystal (ChiNC) is a promising reinforcing nanofiller for biomedical polymers. However, its self-aggregation characteristics caused processing difficulty in developing ChiNC-based nanocomposites. Herein, a new degradable crosslinked bioelastomer, designated as poly(1,8-octanediol-co-Pluronic F127 citrate) (POFC) was synthesized by melt polycondensation of citric acid, 1,8-octanediol, and Pluronic F127. In comparison to poly(1,8-octanediol citrate) (POC), POFC pre-polymer exhibited self-emulsifying property. Once ChiNC was introduced into the emulsion, a ChiNC stabilized Pickering emulsion was formed. Coupled with a facile green emulsion casting/evaporation method, the ChiNC ultimately reinforced ChiNC/POFC nanocomposite elastomer was fabricated. The presence of F127 segments endowed POFC with better hydrophilicity and shorter degradation time relative to POC. The incorporation of ChiNC into POFC network led to highly increased tensile modulus and strength. In vitro cytotoxicity tests indicated that the ChiNC/POFC elastomer nanocomposite had a good cytocompatibility and it appeared as a potential biomaterial for tissue engineering application.

In this paper, an electrochemical method for the measurement of tryptophan (Trp) was developed based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with polyvinylpyrrolidonefunctionalized graphene (PVP-GR)/glassy carbon electrode (GCE). In 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH = 2.2), compared with bare GCE, PVP/GCE, and GR/GCE, the oxidation peak current of Trp increased dramatically at PVP-GR/GCE. The oxidation mechanism of Trp on the PVP-GR/GCE was discussed and the experimental conditions were optimized. Under the best experimental conditions, the oxidation peak current of Trp was proportional to its concentration in the range of 0.06 &micro, M&ndash, 10.0 &micro, M and 10.0&ndash, 100.0 &micro, M, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.01 &micro, M (S/N = 3). The target modified electrode with excellent repeatability, stability and selectivity, was successfully applied to detectTrp in drugs and biological samples.

A tryptophan (Trp) molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was fabricated by drop-coating an imprinted chitosan film on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MIP-MWCNTs/GCE). The surface morphology and electrochemical properties of the MIP-MWCNTs/GCE were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), respectively. The formation of hydrogen bonds between the functional polymer and the template molecule was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance of the MIP-MWCNTs/GCE with Trp showed that the signal of the oxidation current of Trp obtained with MIP-MWCNTs/GCE was significantly enhanced relative to that of the uncovered GCE, indicating that the modified electrode can accelerate electron transfer and has strong selectivity for Trp. The experimental conditions were optimized in parallel, and under the optimal conditions, the MIP-MWCNTs/GCE showed a good linear relationship between the Trp oxidation peak current and Trp concentrations in the ranges of 2.0 nM–0.2 μM, 0.2 μM–10 μM and 10 μM–100 μM The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.0 nM (S/N = 3), and the modified electrode had good reproducibility and stability. Finally, the MIP-MWCNTs/GCE was successfully applied to the determination of Trp in the human serum samples.

In this paper, a tryptophan (Trp) molecularly imprinted chitosan film was prepared on the surface of an acetylene black paste electrode using chitosan as the functional polymer, Trp as the template molecule and sulfuric acid as the crosslinking agent. The surface morphologies of non-imprinted and imprinted electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation of hydrogen bonds between the functional polymer and the template molecule was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Some factors affecting the performance of the imprinted electrode such as the concentration of chitosan, the mass ratio of chitosan to Trp, the dropping amount of the chitosan-Trp mixture, the solution pH, and the accumulation potential and time were discussed. The experimental results show that the imprinted electrode exhibit good affinity and selectivity for Trp. The dynamic linear ranges of 0.01&ndash, 4 M, 4&ndash, 20 M and 20&ndash, 100 M were obtained by second derivative linear sweep voltammetry, and the detection limit was calculated to be 8.0 nM. The use of the imprinted electrode provides an effective method for eliminating the interference of potentially interfering substances. In addition, the sensor has high sensitivity, reproducibility and stability, and can be used for the determination of Trp in pharmaceutical preparations and human serum samples.

In this paper, a nanocomposite of cuprous oxide and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (Cu2O‒ERGO) was prepared by a simple and low-cost method, hereby, a new method for the electrochemical determination of tryptophan (Trp) by this composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is proposed. The prepared materials and modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results showed that Cu2O‒ERGO/GCE had good electrocatalytic activity for Trp. The effects of supporting electrolyte, scanning rate, accumulation potential, and accumulation time on the determination of Trp were studied. Under the optimum experimental conditions, Trp was quantitatively analyzed by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The oxidation peak current of Trp had a good linear relationship with its concentration in the range of 0.02‒20 &mu, M, and the detection limit was 0.01 &mu, M (S/N = 3). In addition, the modified electrode has high sensitivity, good repeatability, and long-term stability. Finally, the proposed method has been successfully applied in the determination of Trp concentration in practical samples.

In recent years, small-sized electrodes have drawn widespread attraction in electroanalysis due to high sensitivity, rapid response and low cost. Hereby, a sub-millimeter paste electrode with inner diameter of 0.8 mm was prepared by combining the excellent properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and acetylene black (AB), and the electrochemical behavior of tyrosine (Tyr) on the modified electrode (denoted as rGO/ABPE) was investigated in detail. The electrochemical responses obtained on the sub-millimeter rGO/ABPE were compared with that obtained on a conventional size electrode with diameter of 3 mm. The results showed that the 0.8 mm one has better performance than that of 3 mm. Compared with the paste electrode made of graphite powder, the oxidation peak current of Tyr increased significantly due to the synergistic effect of rGO and AB. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the calibration curve of Tyr showed a linear relationship between 0.1 and 100 μM (R = 0.9995) with good sensitivity of 3.314 μA μM−1 cm−2, and the detection limit was 0.06 μM. By comparison with conventional size electrode, the detection of Tyr on the sub-millimeter electrode shows higher sensitivity, wider linear range and lower detection limit. In addition, the excellent reproducibility, stability and selectivity of the sub-millimeter rGO/ABPE make it suitable for Tyr analysis in both food and biological samples.

Citrate-based thermoset bioelastomer has numerous tissue engineering applications. However, its insoluble and unmeltable features restricted processing techniques for fabricating complex scaffolds. Herein, direct ink writing (DIW) was explored for 3D printing of poly(1, 8-octanediol-co-Pluronic F127 citrate) (POFC) bioelastomer scaffolds considering that POFC prepolymer (pre-POFC) was waterborne and could form a stable emulsion. The pre-POFC emulsion couldn't be printed, however, chitin nanocrystal (ChiNC) could be as a rheological modifier to tune the flow behavior of pre-POFC emulsion, and thus DIW printing of POFC scaffolds was successfully realized; moreover, ChiNC was also as a supporting agent to prevent collapse of filaments during thermocuring, and simultaneously as a biobased nanofiller to reinforce scaffolds. The rheological analyses showed the pre-POFC/ChiNC inks fulfilled the requirements for DIW printing. The printed scaffolds exhibited low swelling, and good performances in strength and resilence. Furthermore, the entire process was easily performed and eco-friendly.

In this paper, acetylene black paste electrode (ABPE) was prepared and modified by oxygen-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH). The fabricated MWCNT-COOH/ABPE was further used for the investigation on the electrochemical behavior of tyrosine by cyclic voltammetry and second-order derivative linear sweep voltammetry. In 0.1 M pH 2.6 phosphate buffer solution, a well-defined anodic peak appeared at 924 mV, which was attributed to the electrooxidation of tyrosine on the modified electrode. The electrochemical parameters of tyrosine on the modified electrode were calculated. Under the optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current of tyrosine varies linearly with its concentration in the range of 0.04−1.0 μ M, 1.0−60 μ M and 60−600 μ M, and the detection limit is 0.02 μM. The MWCNT-COOH/ABPE was applied to the determination of tyrosine in food with satisfactory results.

Here we report a facile and cost-effective preparation of nickel nanoparticle S/Nitrogen-carbon nanohybrid (Ni NPS/N-C) based on formamide condensation and carbonization, used for highly sensitive and selective electrochemical determination of tryptophan (Trp) in practical samples. The crystallographic phase, surface morphology, elemental distribution, and chemical state of the Ni NPS/N-C nanohybrid were analyzed by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, XPS, FTIR, TGA and Raman spectra. The results show that high content of Ni NPs (6.62 wt%) were distributed in the nanohybrid, and a large number of bamboo-like nanotubes were formed during pyrolysis, which dramatically increases the specific surface area, and remarkably promotes the electrical conductivity as well as the catalytic activity of the nanohybrid. The electrochemical behavior of Trp was investigated on the nanohybrid modified carbon paste electrode (Ni NPS/N-C/CPE) and the measurement parameters were optimized. As expected, the modified electrode can remarkably enhance the electrochemical oxidation signal of Trp. Under the optimal experimental conditions, a linear relationship in the range of 0.01–20 μM and 20–80 μM for Trp was established with detection limit of 5.7 nM (S/N = 3). Finally, the proposed sensor was practically applied by evaluation and determination of Trp from various sourcing samples including human serum and pharmaceutical samples.

Vanillin is widely used as a flavoring and fragrance enhancer in foods. Rapid detection of vanillin is of vital significance and necessity for food safety. In this work, a sensitive voltammetric sensor to detect trace vanillin of nanomolarity in food samples was demonstrated by using manganese dioxide nanowires hybridized electrode. Firstly, a modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared using manganese dioxide nanowires functionalized reduced graphene oxide as a modifier (MnO2 NWs-rGO/GCE). Then the MnO2 NWs-rGO/GCE were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Vanillin's electrochemical behavior in the solution of 0.1 M H2SO4 was studied in detail. The results showed that the modified electrode had an electrocatalytic activity for vanillin oxidation. The adsorption capacity (Γs) and standard rate constant (ks) on the modified electrode were calculated by chronocoulometry (CC). Subsequently, after systematic investigation of second derivative linear sweep voltammetry (SDLSV) under the optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current was linearly correlated with vanillin concentration in the separate ranges of 0.01–20 μM (R2= 0.9808) and 20–100 μM (R2= 0.9964), yielding the detection limit of 6.0 nM (S/N = 3). In addition, MnO2 NWs-rGO/GCE showed the advantages of surface renewal, excellent reproducibility, good stability, and simple preparation. The method was applied to the nanomolarity determination of vanillin in commercial foods with satisfactory results.

A new electrochemical sensor for nanomolar rutin detection based on amine-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (NH2-Fe3O4 NPs-ErGO/GCE) was fabricated through a simple method, and the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and electrochemical technique were used to characterize the modified electrode. The electrochemical behavior of rutin on the Fe3O4 NPs-ErGO/GCE was studied in detail. The electrochemical response of rutin at this modified electrode was remarkably higher than that of the bare GCE or other modified GCE (GO/GCE, Fe3O4 NPs-GO/GCE, and ErGO/GCE). Under the optimum determination conditions, Fe3O4 NPs-ErGO/GCE provided rutin with a broader detection range of 6.0 nM&ndash, 0.1 &micro, M, 0.1&ndash, 8.0 &micro, M and 8.0&ndash, 80 &micro, M, a minimum detectable concentration of 4.0 nM was obtained after 210 s accumulation. This novel method was applied in determination of rutin in pharmaceutical tablets and urine samples with satisfactory results.

A novel tantalum pentoxide nanoparticle-electrochemically reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode (Ta2O5-ErGO/GCE) was developed for the detection of oxytetracycline in milk. The composition, structure and morphology of GO,Ta2O5, and Ta2O5-ErGO were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Oxytetracycline electrochemical behavior on the bare GCE, GO/GCE, ErGO/GCE, and Ta2O5-ErGO/GCE was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The voltammetric conditions (including scan rate, pH, deposition potential, and deposition time) were systematically optimized. With the spacious electrochemical active area, the Ta2O5-ErGO/GCE showed a great magnification of the oxidation signal of oxytetracycline, while that of the other electrodes (GCE, GO/GCE, ErGO/GCE) could not reach the same level. Under the optimum conditions, the currents were proportional to the oxytetracycline concentration in the range from 0.2 to 10 &mu, M, and a low detection limit of 0.095&mu, M(S/N= 3) was detectable. Moreover, the proposed Ta2O5-ErGO/GCE performed practically with satisfactory results. The preparation of Ta2O5-ErGO/GCE in the current work provides a minor outlook of detecting trace oxytetracycline in milk.

Developing simple and accurate QY detection methods is of great significant importance in ensuring food safety including drinks. Manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO2 NPs) with different morphologies were synthesized by hydrothermal method. Manganese dioxide/graphene (MnO2/GR) nanocomposites were directly prepared on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by electrochemical reduction. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The effects of nano-MnO2 with different morphologies on the performance of quinoline yellow (QY) detection was investigated. The experimental findings revealed that MnO2 nanorods (MnO2 NRs) had better properties than both MnO2 nanowires (MnO2 NWs) and MnO2 nanotubes (MnO2 NTs). Under optimal experimental conditions, a good linear relationship between peak current of QY on GR/MnO2 NRs/GCE and concentrations ranging between 0.1 μM˜6.0 μM and 6.0 μM˜60 μM were observed, and 0.04 μM was the detection limit. The fabricated sensor was successfully tested to detect QY in soft drinks.

Two-phase synthesis is an advantageous alternative to the traditional synthetic method, due to its less toxicity, controllable, mild synthetic conditions and easy large-scale synthesis. However, meeting novel synthesis, the conventional trial-and-error approach could not provide a clear understanding. We herein report synthesis and mechanism investigation of CdS quantum dots in octadecene/glycerol two-phase system. The effects of different reaction parameters and conditions including reaction temperature, reaction time, reactant concentrations, and synthesis routes (one-step and two-step approach) on both nucleation and particle growth were investigated. It was found that the synthesis course was a growth dominated process depending on both CdS(monomer) and CdS(nuclei), and controlled by the interface of ODE/glycerol. The present work provided a new and clear understanding about two-phase system synthesis on semiconductor quantum dots, noble metal nanocrystals and some alloy nanomaterials.

Excessive consumption of substances such as food colorants, exposure to doses of metal ions, antibiotic residues and pesticides residues above maximum tolerance limit have a detrimental effect on human health. Hence in detecting these harmful substances, the development of sensitive, selective and convenient analytical tools is an essential step. Graphene and graphene like 2D graphitic carbon nitride have shown great promise in the development of electrochemical sensors for determining the levels of these substances in different samples. In this paper, graphene and graphene like 2D graphitic carbon nitride applications on the determination of various food colorants in foods and drinks such as azo dyes (tartrazine, allura red, amaranth, carmine and sunset yellow); metal ions contaminants, antibiotic and pesticide residues in the environment are reviewed.

In this paper, the preparation, characterization, and electrochemical application of Cu2O nanoparticles and an electrochemical reduced graphene oxide nanohybrid modified glassy carbon electrode (denoted as Cu2O NPs‒ERGO/GCE) are described. This modified electrode was used as an electrochemical sensor for the catalytic oxidation of rhodamine B (RhB), and it exhibited an excellent electrochemical performance for RhB. The oxidation potential of RhB was decreased greatly, and the sensitivity to detect RhB was improved significantly. Under optimum conditions, a linear dynamic range of 0.01&ndash, 20.0 &mu, M and a low detection limit of 0.006 &mu, M were obtained with the Cu2O NPs‒ERGO/GCE by using second‒order derivative linear sweep voltammetry. In addition, the selectivity of the prepared modified electrode was analyzed for the determination of RhB. The practical application of this sensor was investigated for the determination of RhB in food samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.

l-tryptophan is one of the eight kinds of essential amino acids for sustainable human life activity. It is common to detect the concentration of tryptophan in human serum for diagnosing and preventing brain related diseases. Herein, in this study, GCE (glassy carbon electrode) modified by Ta2O5-reduced graphene oxide (-rGO) composite (Ta2O5-rGO-GCE) is synthesized by the hydrothermal synthesis-calcination methods, which is used for detecting the concentration of tryptophan in human serum under the as-obtained optimal detection conditions. As a result, the obtained Ta2O5-rGO-GCE shows larger electrochemical activity area than other bare GCE and rGO-GCE due to the synergistic effect of Ta2O5 NPs and rGO. Meanwhile, Ta2O5-rGO-GCE shows an excellent response to tryptophan during the oxidation process in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH = 6). Moreover, three wide linear detection range (1.0&ndash, 8.0 &mu, M, 8.0&ndash, 80 &mu, M and 80&ndash, 800 &mu, M) and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.84 &mu, M (S/N = 3) in the detection of tryptophan are also presented, showing the larger linear ranges and lower detection limit by employing Ta2O5-rGO-GCE. Finally, the as-proposed Ta2O5-rGO-GCE with satisfactory recoveries (101~106%) is successfully realized for the detection of tryptophan in human serum. The synthesis of Ta2O5-rGO-GCE in this article could provide a slight view for the synthesis of other electrochemical catalytic systems in detection of trace substance in human serum.

4-nitrophenol (4-NP) is a hazardous waste and a priority toxic pollutant identified by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Hence, in this paper, a voltammetric sensor was proposed for the direct and sensitive detection of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) at nanomolar level in complex matrices by using graphene and acetylene black paste hybridized electrode (GR/ABPE). Under optimal conditions, the calibration curve demonstrates a linear relationship for 4-NP in the range from 20 nM to 8.0 &mu, M and 8.0 &mu, M to 0.1 mM separately with the detection limit of 8.0 nM. In addition to it, the performance of the GR/ABPE in practical applications was evaluated by detecting 4-NP in various water samples, and satisfactory recoveries were realized. Therefore, GR/ABPE may have a great potential application for facile and sensitive detection of 4-NP in complex matrices at nanomolar level.