TY - JOUR
T1 - Nanographite impurities in carbon nanotubes
T2 - Their influence on the oxidation of insulin, nitric oxide, and extracellular thiols
AU - Chng, Elaine Lay Khim
AU - Pumera, Martin
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2012/1/27
Y1 - 2012/1/27
N2 - There has been growing interest in the use of modified-carbonnanotube electrodes in applications such as the electrochemical detection of biologically significant compounds, owing to their apparent "electrocatalytic" properties and ability to enhance oxidative signals. In spite of their salient properties, little work has been done to further examine the reasons for these reported characteristics. In this report, we present clear evidence that the presence of nanographite impurities within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is responsible for providing the previously reported enhanced electrochemical response. We have demonstrated this effect on homocysteine, Nacetyl- l-cysteine, nitric oxide, and insulin, which are important biological agents in the body. Moreover, we also showed that the influence of nanographite impurities on the electrochemistry of carbon nanotubes is prevalent among a variety of CNTs, such as single-walled CNTs, double-walled CNTs, and few-walled CNTs. Our findings will have a profound influence upon the biomedical applications of CNTs.
AB - There has been growing interest in the use of modified-carbonnanotube electrodes in applications such as the electrochemical detection of biologically significant compounds, owing to their apparent "electrocatalytic" properties and ability to enhance oxidative signals. In spite of their salient properties, little work has been done to further examine the reasons for these reported characteristics. In this report, we present clear evidence that the presence of nanographite impurities within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is responsible for providing the previously reported enhanced electrochemical response. We have demonstrated this effect on homocysteine, Nacetyl- l-cysteine, nitric oxide, and insulin, which are important biological agents in the body. Moreover, we also showed that the influence of nanographite impurities on the electrochemistry of carbon nanotubes is prevalent among a variety of CNTs, such as single-walled CNTs, double-walled CNTs, and few-walled CNTs. Our findings will have a profound influence upon the biomedical applications of CNTs.
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U2 - 10.1002/chem.201102080
DO - 10.1002/chem.201102080
M3 - Article
C2 - 22213085
AN - SCOPUS:84857151153
VL - 18
SP - 1401
EP - 1407
JO - Chemistry - A European Journal
JF - Chemistry - A European Journal
SN - 0947-6539
IS - 5
ER -