Electroanalytical overview: The electroanalytical detection of theophylline

In this overview, we explore the electroanalytical determination of theophylline. Theophylline finds use as a bronchodilator for treating diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is a need to measure the concentration of theophylline in pharmaceuticals for QA/QC purposes as well as in plasma samples to ensure the doses of theophylline are at the correct therapeutic levels. If the concentration levels of theophylline deviate from the therapeutic levels (10–20 µg/mL for asthma), then patients can experience adverse effects. As such, there is a desire to progress from traditional laboratory based techniques to portable rapid testing. In this overview, we review the endeavours directed to the development of theophylline electroanalytical sensors, noting current and future trends

Synergetic Accrual of Lamellar Nanohybrids for Band-Selective Photodetection

Nanostructured blends of inorganic and organic materials could unwind unique properties and boost performance over each individual constituent. We demonstrate here a hybrid photodetector containing ZnO and functionalized oligo­(<i>p</i>-phenylenevinylene), which was deposited electrochemically onto an electrode. XRD results reveal that the conjugates formed are lamellar in nature. As photodetectors, room-temperature responsivity as high as 0.2 AW^–1 at 330 nm with a bias of −20 V, the maximum external quantum efficiency of 75% at −20 V bias and 100 times increase in the light current upon UV illumination of 325 nm, have been observed. These values perpetrate a future of a high-performance hybrid photodetector which could be cost-effective and environmentally benign