V-type nerve agent detection using a carbon nanotube-based amperometric enzyme electrode

Anal Chem. 2006 Jan 1;78(1):331-6. doi: 10.1021/ac051052f.

Abstract

An enzyme electrode for the detection of V-type nerve agents, VX (O-ethyl-S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothioate) and R-VX (O-isobutyl-S-2-diethylaminoethyl methylphosphonothioate), is proposed. The principle of the new biosensor is based on the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of the nerve agents and amperometric detection of the thiol-containing hydrolysis products at carbon nanotube-modified screen-printed electrodes. Demeton-S was used as a nerve agent mimic. 2-(Diethylamino)ethanethiol (DEAET) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol (DMAET), the thiol-containing hydrolysis product and hydrolysis product mimic of R-VX and VX, respectively, were monitored by exploiting the electrocatalytic activity of carbon nanotubes (CNT). As low as 2 microM DMAET and 0.8 microM DEAET were detected selectively at a low applied potential of 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl at a CNT-modified mediator-free amperometric electrode. Further, the large surface area and the hydrophobicity of CNT was used to immobilize organophosphorus hydrolase mutant with improved catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of the P-S bond of phosphothiolester neurotoxins including VX and R-VX nerve gases to develop a novel, mediator-free, membrane-free biosensor for V-type nerve agents. The applicability of the biosensor was demonstrated for direct, rapid, and selective detection of V-type nerve agents' mimic demeton-S. The selectivity of the sensor against interferences and application to spiked lake water samples was demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Chemical Warfare Agents / analysis*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nanotubes, Carbon*
  • Neurotoxins / analysis*
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds / analysis*
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds

Substances

  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Neurotoxins
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • VX