Premium
Nanographite Impurities in Carbon Nanotubes: Their Influence on the Oxidation of Insulin, Nitric Oxide, and Extracellular Thiols
Author(s) -
Chng Elaine Lay Khim,
Pumera Martin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201102080
Subject(s) - carbon nanotube , materials science , electrochemistry , oxide , nanotechnology , nitric oxide , electrode , impurity , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , metallurgy , engineering
There has been growing interest in the use of modified‐carbon‐nanotube 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, N ‐acetyl‐ 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.