From Glow-Sticks to Sensors: Single-Electrode Electrochemical Detection for Paper-Based Devices

WHITEHEAD, DANIEL C.; DOMINI, CLAUDIA E.; VIDAL, EZEQUIEL; GARCIA, CARLOS D.

Sensors & Diagnostics

Royal Society of Chemistry

Año: 2022

2635-0998

With the goal of creating a multipurpose platform for electrogenerated luminescence, a single electrode electrochemical system was designed, developed, and validated. Glow sticks were used as the source of luminophore, which was used as reagent for a single electrode electrochemical luminescent biosensor. The camera built in a smartphone was used as the detector for electrochemiluminescence emissions. A disposable paper-based device was designed and used as a two-compartment electrochemical reaction cell. This sensor assembly was tested in different conditions, showing acceptable performance both in the determination of hydrogen peroxide concentrations, to evaluate rancidity markers in edible oil samples, and to quantify the glucose concentrations in soft drinks. The analytical performance of the single electrode electrochemiluminescent device showed a limit of detection for hydrogen peroxide of 1.02 µM, with a working range between 0.4 µM and 150 mM. The proposed device represents an inexpensive and simple approach for taking advantage of electrochemiluminescent for analyte detection. This study suggests that the combination of paper-based devices, single electrode electrochemistry, electrochemiluminescence, and smartphone image sensing can provide a convenient platform for the development of a variety of analytical applications.