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A Cu–CNF–rGO-functionalized carbon film indicated as a versatile electrode for sensing of biomarkers using electropolymerized recognition elements

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Abstract

A carbon film functionalized with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Cu nanoparticles (NPs)-tipped carbon nanofibers (CNFs) was demonstrated to be a versatile electrode for the efficient electropolymerization of the following monomers: acryl amide, methylene blue, methyl orange, and β-cyclodextrin. These electropolymers were used as the recognition elements for the measurements of glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, and spermine solutions, respectively. The carbon film was synthesized from a phenolic precursor via suspension polymerization and subjected to multiple thermal processes, viz. carbonization, H2-reduction, and chemical vapor deposition, in an especially designed reactor. Physicochemical tests confirmed the controlled growth of the graphitic CNFs with the electrocatalytic Cu NPs located at their tips. The CNF growth was found to be critical for providing the Faradic and electrocatalytic characteristics to the electrode, whereas rGO enhanced the material electroconductivity (462 S/m). Tested in the phosphate buffer and clinical samples using differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques, the prepared electrode showed a fast and reproducible response, with the limits of detection of 0.18, 0.006, 0.036 and 0.0003 mM, respectively. The synthesized Cu–CNF–rGO functionalized carbon film in this study is indicated to be a potential universal substrate for electrochemical sensors of a wide range of biomarkers.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Science and Engineering Research Board (Government of India, New Delhi) for the project grant (SERB-CRG/2019/000122) to perform the present study. The authors are also thankful to the Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur, for providing the infrastructure to conduct research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, 208016, India

    Haider Ali & Nishith Verma

  2. Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, 208016, India

    Nishith Verma

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  1. Haider Ali
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Ali, H., Verma, N. A Cu–CNF–rGO-functionalized carbon film indicated as a versatile electrode for sensing of biomarkers using electropolymerized recognition elements. J Mater Sci 57, 6345–6360 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-022-07029-7

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