Electrochemistry of Tetrathiafulvalene Ligands Assembled on the Surface of Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

The synthesis of a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivative, S-[4-({4-[(2,2′-bi-1,3-dithiol-4-ylmethoxy)methyl] phenyl}ethynyl)phenyl] ethanethioate, suitable for the modification of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), is described in this article. The TTF ligand was self-assembled on the AuNP surface through ligand exchange, starting from dodecanethiol-stabilized AuNPs. The resulting modified AuNPs were characterized by TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. The most suitable electrochemical method was the phase-sensitive AC voltammetry at very low frequencies of the sine-wave perturbation. The results indicate a diminishing electronic communication between the two equivalent redox centers of TTF and also intermolecular donor–acceptor interactions manifested by an additional oxidation wave upon attachment of the ligand to AuNPs.

Electrochemical Sensor Based on Nanomaterials and Its Application in the Detection of Alpha Fetoprotein

“…Nanomaterials are increasingly used in the field of biological analysis [17][18][19]. So far, some nanomaterials with different characteristics have been used for electrochemical sensing, including metal nanoparticles [20], carbon nanomaterials [21], quantum dots [22], polymers [23], and semiconductor materials [24]. They are often used to enhance sensing signals and to detect ultra-low concentrations of small molecules and biomarkers.…”