Activated carbonized pistachio nut shells for electrochemiluminescence detection

• Published in: Journal of applied electrochemistry Vol. 45; no. 6; pp. 585 - 590
• Main Authors: Noman, M., Sanginario, A., Jagadale, P., Tagliaferro, A., Demarchi, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Activated; Biosensors; Carbon; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Ecology; Electrochemiluminescence; Electrochemistry; Electrode materials; Electrodes; Field emission; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Physical Chemistry; Research Article; Sensors and Electrochemical Methods; Carbonization; Pistachio nut shells; Electrochemiluminescence; Working electrode; Carbon
• ISSN: 0021-891X; 1572-8838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10800-015-0813-4

This paper reports the first ever use of carbonized pistachio nut shells (CPNS), as an electrode material for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection. The carbonization of pistachio nut shells was achieved at 500 °C for 2 h using chemical vapor deposition apparatus. Consequently, the CPNS were activated with KOH at 900 °C in Argon atmosphere. Field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the grain size, structural porosity, activation with KOH and elemental composition. The activated CPNS were used as working electrode in ECL study. Tris (2,2′-bipyridyl) ruthenium (II) ( Ru(bpy) 3 2 + ) was used as an ECL label. While still suffering from low reproducibility, the CPNS electrodes showed ECL efficiency and stability comparable to standard glassy carbon electrodes. The very low cost of the raw material, the intrinsic carbon biocompatibility, and their ecological sources in combination with such good results make them good candidates for future ECL-based disposable biosensor platforms.