Microstructured nanoparticle membrane sensor based on non-Cottrellian diffusion

A sensing protocol based on the anomalous non-Cottrellian diffusion towards nanostructured surfaces is reported. The potassium ferrocyanide oxidation on a gold disc electrode covered with a system of nanoparticle membranes was investigated using a kinetic-sensitive voltcoulometric method. Kinetic changes were induced by the altered electrode surface morphology, i.e., micro-sized superparamagnetic nanoparticle membranes were curved and partially damaged under the influence of the applied magnetic field. The targeted changes in the non-Cottrellian diffusion towards the working electrode surface resulted in a marked amplification of the measured voltcoulometric signal. Moreover, the observed effect depends on the membrane elasticity and fragility, which may give rise to the construction of sensors based on the influence of various physical, chemical or biological external agents on the superparamagnetic nanoparticle membrane Young’s moduli.