Surface modified electrodes, and methods of preparation thereof

Abstract

A surface modified electrode is provided. The surface modified electrode includes a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and a nanomaterial disposed on the glassy carbon electrode. The nanomaterial comprises carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and at least one of thallium oxide nanoparticles (Tl2O3·NPs), thallium oxide (Tl2O3) nanopowder, and thallium oxide carbon nanotube nanocomposites (Tl2O3·CNT NCs). A polymer matrix is configured to bind the glassy carbon electrode with the nanomaterial. A method of preparing the surface modified electrode is also disclosed. The surface modified electrode can be implemented in a biosensor for detecting a biological molecule, like choline.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of preparing a surface modified electrode, the method comprising:
 mixing carbon nanotubes (CNT's), and at least one of thallium oxide nanoparticles (Tl 2 O 3 ·NPs), thallium oxide (Tl 2 O 3 ) nanopowders, and thallium oxide carbon nanotube nanocomposites (Tl 2 O 3 ·CNT NCs), in an organic solvent to form a slurry of a nanomaterial;   disposing the slurry of the nanomaterial on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to form a film; and   coating a polymer matrix on the film to obtain the surface modified electrode.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  further comprising, contacting the slurry of the nanomaterial with the glassy carbon electrode for a period of 1-3 hours at a temperature range of 35-40° C. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13  further comprising, coating the polymer matrix on the film for a period of 2-4 hours at a temperature range of 35-40° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the polymer matrix is a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer (nafion). 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the thallium oxide carbon nanotube nanocomposites (Tl 2 O 3 ·CNT NCs) are prepared by:
 stirring a salt of thallium in water in an alkaline medium to form a first mixture; 
 washing the first mixture to obtain a second mixture; and 
 drying the second mixture to obtain the thallium oxide carbon nanotube nanocomposites. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising, stirring the salt of thallium in water in an alkaline medium for a period of 5-7 hours at a temperature range of 80° C.-100° C. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising, drying the second mixture for a period of 10-14 hours at a temperature range of 25-37° C. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the salt of thallium is thallium nitrate Tl(NO 3 ) 3 .