Single gold nanoclusters: Formation and sensing application for isonicotinic acid hydrazide detection.

Nano-sized electrodes have their special advantages for sensing applications, such as small overall dimension, fast response and low background current. In this work, single gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) were controllably prepared on single Pt nanoelectrode surface by electrodeposition method. The AuNCs covered Pt nanoelectrode (AuNCs/PtNE) had steady-state voltammetric response in redox species solution, which was similar to micro-/nano-sized electrodes. It was interesting to find isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH, also known as isoniazid) showed good electrochemical response on AuNCs/PtNE surface, which had investigated carefully by square wave voltammetry (SWV) and chronoamperometry. Moreover, the prepared single AuNCs/PtNEs showed the capability for INH sensing with good sensitivity, reproducibility and selectivity, which was demonstrated for INH detection in human urine samples. Image 1 • Single gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) were controllably prepared on single Pt nanoelectrode surface by electrodeposition method. • The single AuNCs/PtNE showed excellent electrochemical responses for isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) oxidation. • A single AuNCs-based nanosensor was developed for INH sensing with good sensitivity, reproducibility and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]