Rapid electrochemical platform for nicotine sensing in cigarettes and chewing gums
At a Glance
Section titled âAt a Glanceâ| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2015-10-01 |
| Journal | Acta Chimica Slovaca |
| Authors | KristĂna CinkovĂĄ, Linda DianovĂĄ, MariĂĄn Vojs, MariĂĄn Marton, ÄčubomĂĆÌ Ć vorc |
| Institutions | Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava |
| Citations | 14 |
| Analysis | Full AI Review Included |
6CCVD Technical Documentation: High-Performance Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) for Rapid Nicotine Sensing
Section titled â6CCVD Technical Documentation: High-Performance Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) for Rapid Nicotine SensingâExecutive Summary
Section titled âExecutive SummaryâThis research validates the use of un-modified Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes as a highly effective, rapid, and stable platform for the electroanalytical determination of nicotine, a critical component in quality control for commercial products like cigarettes and chewing gums.
- Superior Material Stability: BDD demonstrated exceptional chemical stability and resistance to fouling, enabling stable voltammetric response without the need for complex chemical modifications common in traditional carbonaceous electrodes.
- High Sensitivity Quantification: The method utilizes Square-Wave Voltammetry (SWV) in phosphate buffer (pH 9.0) to achieve fast and sensitive quantification.
- Low Detection Limit Achieved: A low limit of detection (LOD) of 6.1 x 10-6 mol·L-1 was achieved, providing the necessary sensitivity for trace analysis in complex matrices.
- Excellent Linearity and Precision: The method showed outstanding linearity (R2 = 0.996) across the concentration range of 9.9 x 10-6 to 1.7 x 10-4 mol·L-1, with good intra-day repeatability (RSD of 8.8%).
- Diffusion-Controlled Process: Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) confirmed the irreversible oxidation of nicotine at BDD, where the peak current exhibited linear dependence on the square root of the scan rate, confirming diffusion control.
- Commercial Validation: The developed protocol was successfully applied to quantify nicotine in commercial cigarettes and chewing gums, achieving high recovery rates (94.7% to 108.9%) consistent with producer declarations.
Technical Specifications
Section titled âTechnical SpecificationsâThe following hard data parameters define the performance and operational conditions for the rapid electrochemical determination of nicotine using the BDD platform:
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working Electrode Material | Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) | - | Unmodified Electrochemical Platform |
| BDD Doping Level | 20000 | ppm | B/C ratio in gas phase during CVD synthesis |
| BDD Film Diameter (Used) | 740 | ”m | Inner diameter of the working electrode film |
| Electrolyte (Optimal) | Phosphate Buffer (PB) | - | 0.1 mol·L-1 concentration |
| Optimal Operating pH | 9.0 | - | Selected for maximum peak current response |
| Nicotine Oxidation Peak 1 (Quantification) | +1.14 | V | Irreversible oxidation (vs. Ag/AgCl reference) |
| Nicotine Oxidation Peak 2 | +1.61 | V | Poorly defined irreversible peak |
| Optimal SWV Modulation Amplitude | 40 | mV | Instrumental parameter |
| Optimal SWV Frequency | 50 | Hz | Instrumental parameter |
| Optimal SWV Scan Rate | 0.225 | V·s-1 | Instrumental parameter |
| Linear Concentration Range | 9.9 x 10-6 to 1.7 x 10-4 | mol·L-1 | Wide range for commercial analysis |
| Coefficient of Determination (R2) | 0.996 | - | Excellent fit across the linear range |
| Detection Limit (LOD) | 6.1 x 10-6 | mol·L-1 | LOD calculated as 3Ï/slope |
| Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) | 8.8 | % | Intra-day repeatability (n=10) |
| Recovery Range (Samples) | 94.7 to 108.9 | % | Accuracy validation using standard addition |
Key Methodologies
Section titled âKey MethodologiesâThe following ordered list summarizes the crucial material specifications and procedural steps required for replicating and extending this high-performance BDD electroanalytical protocol:
- Electrode Setup: A conventional three-electrode system was employed, featuring the custom Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) working electrode, a Pt wire counter electrode, and an Ag/AgCl (3 mol·L-1 KCl) reference electrode.
- BDD Material Specification: The BDD film featured an inner diameter of 740 ”m and was grown using a CVD process characterized by a high B/C ratio in the gas phase (20000 ppm), ensuring high conductivity necessary for electroanalysis.
- Electrode Activation Protocol: Prior to daily use, the BDD surface was activated by performing 10 Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) scans across a wide potential range (-2.0 V to +2.0 V) in 0.5 mol·L-1 sulfuric acid.
- Electrolyte Selection: Nicotine analysis was optimized using 0.1 mol·L-1 phosphate buffers (PB), with pH 9.0 identified as providing the highest and most distinct oxidation peak current.
- SWV Optimization: Square-Wave Voltammetry (SWV) parameters were systematically optimized for maximal sensitivity: modulation amplitude of 40 mV, frequency of 50 Hz, and a scan rate of 0.225 V·s-1.
- Sample Preparation: Nicotine was extracted from complex matrices: cigarettes were treated with double-distilled water in an ultrasonic bath; chewing gums utilized a two-phase extraction (hexane followed by supporting electrolyte).
- Quantification Method: Nicotine concentrations were determined using the highly accurate Standard Addition Method, validating the protocolâs feasibility in real-world samples.
6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities
Section titled â6CCVD Solutions & Capabilitiesâ6CCVD is positioned to supply the advanced MPCVD diamond materials necessary to replicate, scale, and innovate upon the rapid electrochemical sensing platform demonstrated in this research. Our capabilities directly address the material and fabrication needs of high-performance electroanalytical devices.
Applicable Materials & Doping Levels
Section titled âApplicable Materials & Doping LevelsâThe research highlights the absolute necessity of high-quality, highly conductive BDD for stable electroanalysis.
| Application Need (from Paper) | 6CCVD Solution | Material Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Conductive Electrode Platform | Heavy Boron-Doped PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) | High B/C ratios (up to 20,000 ppm+) ensure low resistivity and stable working electrodes, ideal for minimizing background current and maximizing signal-to-noise ratio. |
| Film Thickness Control | Custom Thin-Film BDD | BDD layers available from 0.1 ”m up to 500 ”m thickness on conductive substrates (e.g., heavily doped Si or Mo), allowing precise control over electrochemical active area properties. |
| High Purity & Stability | MPCVD Grown Diamond | Our material exhibits extreme chemical inertness and hardness, vital for preventing fouling and maintaining long-term stability under harsh operating conditions (e.g., highly alkaline or acidic activation cycles). |
Customization Potential
Section titled âCustomization PotentialâThe paper utilized a specific BDD film diameter (740 ”m). 6CCVD specializes in providing diamond material tailored precisely to micro-engineering and sensor requirements.
- Custom Dimensions and Shaping: We offer high-precision laser cutting and shaping services to produce custom electrode geometries, including the micron-scale dimensions (e.g., 740 ”m) required for novel micro-electrode arrays or integrated sensor platforms. We produce plates/wafers up to 125mm.
- Ultra-Low Roughness Polishing: For diffusion-controlled processes, minimizing surface roughness is crucial for stable and repeatable results. 6CCVD provides state-of-the-art polishing services, achieving Ra < 5nm for Inch-size PCD/BDD wafers, significantly reducing capacitive charging current compared to as-grown or less-polished surfaces.
- Integrated Metalization Services: While this study relied on external contacts, 6CCVD provides in-house metalization (Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, Cu). This is essential for creating reliable, low-resistance ohmic contacts for packaged devices, supporting the creation of robust, deployable sensors.
Engineering Support & Global Logistics
Section titled âEngineering Support & Global Logisticsâ- Material Selection Consultation: 6CCVDâs in-house PhD engineering team provides expert consultation on material selection, doping density optimization, and electrode geometry design specifically for electroanalytical projects, including nicotine sensing and other alkaloid/biomolecule determination challenges.
- Global Supply Chain: We provide fast, reliable global shipping (DDU default, DDP available) to ensure researchers and developers worldwide receive high-quality diamond materials promptly.
For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.
View Original Abstract
Abstract A novel protocol for the simple and rapid determination of nicotine using square-wave voltammetry at boron-doped diamond electrode was developed. The effect of pH of supporting electrolyte, scan rate and square-wave voltammetric parameters was examined. Behavior study revealed that nicotine provided two irreversible oxidation peaks, the first one well-shaped at +1.14 V and the second one poorly-defined at +1.61 V vs. Ag/AgCl electrode in the presence of phosphate buffer (pH 9.0). Under optimal experimental conditions (modulation amplitude of 40 mV, frequency of 50 Hz and scan rate of 0.225 V · s -1 ), the current response of nicotine was proportionally linear in the concentration range from 9.9 à 10 -6 to 1.7 à 10 -4 mol · L -1 (R 2 = 0.996) with the detection limit of 6.1 à 10 -6 mol · L -1 (0.989 mg · L -1 ) and the relative standard deviation of 8.8 % (number of measurements n = 10, 5.7 à 10 -5 mol · L -1 nicotine). The proposed procedure was applied to the quantification of nicotine in cigarettes and chewing gums with the determined values in good agreement with those declared by producer. In this respect, the developed protocol could represent an effective and rapid alternative to chemically modified electrodes in analysis of alkaloids.