Carbon tape as a convenient electrode material for electrochemical paper-based microfluidic devices (ePADs)

GOMEZ, FEDERICO J. V.; RIVERA DE LA ROSA, JAVIER; GARCIA, CARLOS D.; REED, PAIGE A.; CHUMANOV, GEORGE; GONZALEZ CASAMACHIN, DIEGO; SILVA, MARIA FERNANDA

Analytical Methods

The Royal Society of Chemistry

Año: 2018 vol. 10 p. 4020 - 4027

1759-9660

Electrochemical paper-based analytical devices represent an innovative and versatile platform for fluidhandling and analysis. Nevertheless, the intrinsic structure of the paper can impose limitations to boththe selection of the electrode material and the method selected to attach the electrodes to the device,potentially affecting the analytical performance of the device. To address these limitations, we hereinpropose carbon tape as a simple and low cost alternative to develop ePADs. The proposed material (inthe form of tape or tabs) was first characterized using a combination of contact angle analysis, resistivity,Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Upon this initialassessment, carbon tape was selected and modified with carbon nanotubes, to provide not only a bettersurface for proteins to adhere to, but also an enhanced electroactive surface. The analytical performanceof the resulting device was assessed by integrating three enzymes that facilitate the oxidation of ethanol,glucose, and phenol, and by performing the detection of these analytes in beer samples. The resultingdevice, for which materials cost less than a dollar, represents a simple alternative material for ePADs,applied in this case to monitor three of the most important parameters during the production of beers