title: Structure-dependent electrocatalysis of Ni(OH)2 hourglass-like nanostructures towards L-histidine.
abstract: As the properties of nanomaterials are strongly dependent on their size, shape and nanostructures, probing the relations between macro-properties and nanostructures is challenging for nanoscientists. Herein, we deliberately chose three types of Ni(OH)(2) with hexagonal, truncated trigonal, and trigonal hourglass-like nanostructures, respectively, as the electrode modifier to demonstrate the correlation between the nanostructures and their electrocatalytic performance towards L-histidine. It was found that the hexagonal hourglass-like Ni(OH)(2) sample had the best electrocatalytic activity, which can be understood by a cooperative mechanism: on one hand, the hexagonal sample possesses the largest specific surface area and the tidiest nanostructure, resulting in the most orderly packing on the electrode surface; on the other hand, its internal structure with the most stacking faults would generate a lot of unstable protons, leading to an enhanced electronic conductivity. The findings are important because they provide a clue for materials design and engineering to meet a specific requirement for electrocatalysis of L-histidine, possibly even for other biomolecules. In addition, the hexagonal Ni(OH)(2)-based biosensor shows excellent sensitivity and selectivity in the determination of L-histidine and offers a promising feature for the analytical application in real biological samples.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, PR China.
authors.forename: Jianwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nai
authors.forename: Zhengbo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Haopeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fangyuan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Lidong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002384:Catalysis; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006639:Histidine / Q000737:chemistry*; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; C037473:nickel hydroxide; D006639:Histidine; D009532:Nickel