Faculty Mentor
Greg Bishop
Mentor Home Department
Chemistry
Short Abstract
Ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) are electrodes with characteristic dimensions (e.g., radius) smaller than ~25 μm. UMEs exhibit several advantages compared to conventional electrodes, such as improved signal-to-noise ratio, faster response time, and the ability to measure species in confined spaces (e.g., inside cells). UMEs can be applied to measure electroactive species such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ROS are dangerous intermediates that are produced by the reduction of oxygen in the mitochondria. H2O2 is considered an ROS since it reacts with metal ions and other species to make hydroxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals cause oxidative damage to the body by oxidizing nucleic acids, proteins, phospholipids, and even DNA, which can lead to cancer and other malignancies. Improving the sensitivity of UMEs for the detection of H2O2 is an ongoing area of research with applications related to understanding the role of ROS in disease and detecting oxidative stress in organisms. One promising method for enhancing UME sensitivity for H2O2 detection involves chemical modification of the UME surface with different chemical groups. The Bishop group has previously shown that N-doped carbon materials exhibit better sensitivity towards H2O2 detection compared to unmodified carbon because N-doping introduces free electrons that help facilitate the breakage of the O-O bond, a key step in electrochemical reduction of H2O2. This project is focused on preparing N-doped carbon electrodes via chemical vapor deposition and doing more extensive characterization on their responses. Additionally, other methods of preparing the N-doped carbon, potentially in a single step, are being investigated.
Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Start Date
5-4-2024 11:30 AM
End Date
5-4-2024 12:30 PM
Location
D.P. Culp Center Multicultural Center Presentation Room
Nitrogen-Doped Chemical Vapor Deposition Carbon Electrodes for the Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide
D.P. Culp Center Multicultural Center Presentation Room
Ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) are electrodes with characteristic dimensions (e.g., radius) smaller than ~25 μm. UMEs exhibit several advantages compared to conventional electrodes, such as improved signal-to-noise ratio, faster response time, and the ability to measure species in confined spaces (e.g., inside cells). UMEs can be applied to measure electroactive species such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ROS are dangerous intermediates that are produced by the reduction of oxygen in the mitochondria. H2O2 is considered an ROS since it reacts with metal ions and other species to make hydroxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals cause oxidative damage to the body by oxidizing nucleic acids, proteins, phospholipids, and even DNA, which can lead to cancer and other malignancies. Improving the sensitivity of UMEs for the detection of H2O2 is an ongoing area of research with applications related to understanding the role of ROS in disease and detecting oxidative stress in organisms. One promising method for enhancing UME sensitivity for H2O2 detection involves chemical modification of the UME surface with different chemical groups. The Bishop group has previously shown that N-doped carbon materials exhibit better sensitivity towards H2O2 detection compared to unmodified carbon because N-doping introduces free electrons that help facilitate the breakage of the O-O bond, a key step in electrochemical reduction of H2O2. This project is focused on preparing N-doped carbon electrodes via chemical vapor deposition and doing more extensive characterization on their responses. Additionally, other methods of preparing the N-doped carbon, potentially in a single step, are being investigated.