Amperometric Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on Horseradish Peroxidase Entrapped in Titania Sol-Gel Film on Screen-Printed Electrode

We report the fabrication of disposable and flexible Screen-Printed Electrodes (SPEs). This new type of screen-printed electrochemical platform consists of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) and graphite composite. For this purpose, silver nanoparticles were first synthesized by a chemical reduction method. The morphology and structure of the AgNPs were analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Graphite was chosen as the working electrode material for the fabrication of a thick-film. The fabrication of a screen-printed hydrogen peroxide biosensor consisting of three electrodes on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate was performed with a spraying approach (working, counter and reference: enzyme electrode, graphite, pseudo reference: Ag/AgCl). This biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing the peroxidase enzyme (HRP) in a Titania sol-gel membrane which was obtained through a vapor deposition method. The biosensor had electrocatalytic activity in the reduction of H2O2 with linear dependence on H2O2 concentration in the range of 10-5 to 10-3 M;the detection limit was 4.5 × 10-6 M.

Advances in Graphene‑Based Electrode for Triboelectric Nanogenerator

With the continuous development of wearable electronics,wireless sensor networks and other micro-electronic devices,there is an increasingly urgent need for miniature,flexible and efficient nanopower generation technology.Triboelectric nanogenerator(TENG)technology can convert small mechanical energy into electricity,which is expected to address this problem.As the core component of TENG,the choice of electrode materials significantly affects its performance.Traditional metal electrode materials often suffer from problems such as durability,which limits the further application of TENG.Graphene,as a novel electrode material,shows excellent prospects for application in TENG owing to its unique structure and excellent electrical properties.This review systematically summarizes the recent research progress and application prospects of TENGs based on graphene electrodes.Various precision processing methods of graphene electrodes are introduced,and the applications of graphene electrode-based TENGs in various scenarios as well as the enhancement of graphene electrodes for TENG performance are discussed.In addition,the future development of graphene electrode-based TENGs is also prospectively discussed,aiming to promote the continuous advancement of graphene electrode-based TENGs.

Flexible capacitive pressure sensor based on interdigital electrodes with porous microneedle arrays for physiological signal monitoring

Flexible pressure sensors have many potential applications in the monitoring of physiological signals because of their good biocompatibil-ity and wearability.However,their relatively low sensitivity,linearity,and stability have hindered their large-scale commercial application.Herein,aflexible capacitive pressure sensor based on an interdigital electrode structure with two porous microneedle arrays(MNAs)is pro-posed.The porous substrate that constitutes the MNA is a mixed product of polydimethylsiloxane and NaHCO3.Due to its porous and interdigital structure,the maximum sensitivity(0.07 kPa-1)of a porous MNA-based pressure sensor was found to be seven times higher than that of an imporous MNA pressure sensor,and it was much greater than that of aflat pressure sensor without a porous MNA structure.Finite-element analysis showed that the interdigital MNA structure can greatly increase the strain and improve the sensitivity of the sen-sor.In addition,the porous MNA-based pressure sensor was found to have good stability over 1500 loading cycles as a result of its bilayer parylene-enhanced conductive electrode structure.Most importantly,it was found that the sensor could accurately monitor the motion of afinger,wrist joint,arm,face,abdomen,eye,and Adam’s apple.Furthermore,preliminary semantic recognition was achieved by monitoring the movement of the Adam’s apple.Finally,multiple pressure sensors were integrated into a 33 array to detect a spatial pressure distribu-×tion.Compared to the sensors reported in previous works,the interdigital electrode structure presented in this work improves sensitivity and stability by modifying the electrode layer rather than the dielectric layer.

Noninvasive Label-Free Detection of Cortisol and Lactate Using Graphene Embedded Screen-Printed Electrode

A sensitive and specific immunosensor for the detection of the hormones cortisol and lactate in human or animal biological fluids, such as sweat and saliva, was devised using the label-free electrochemical chronoamperometric technique. By using these fluids instead of blood,the biosensor becomes noninvasive and is less stressful to the end user, who may be a small child or a farm animal.Electroreduced graphene oxide(e-RGO) was used as a synergistic platform for signal amplification and template for bioconjugation for the sensing mechanism on a screenprinted electrode. The cortisol and lactate antibodies were bioconjugated to the e-RGO using covalent carbodiimide chemistry. Label-free electrochemical chronoamperometric detection was used to analyze the response to the desired biomolecules over the wide detection range. A detection limit of 0.1 ng mL^(-1) for cortisol and 0.1 mM for lactate was established and a correlation between concentration and current was observed. A portable, handheld potentiostat assembled with Bluetooth communication and battery operation enables the developed system for point-of-care applications. A sandwich-like structure containing the sensing mechanisms as a prototype was designed to secure the biosensor to skin and use capillary action to draw sweat or other fluids toward the sensing mechanism. Overall, the immunosensor shows remarkable specificity, sensitivity as well as the noninvasive and point-of-care capabilities and allows the biosensor to be used as a versatile sensing platform in both developed and developing countries.

A sensitive electrochemical detection of metronidazole in synthetic serum and urine samples using low-cost screen-printed electrodes modified with reduced graphene oxide and C60

Monitoring the concentration of antibiotics in body fluids is essential to optimizing the therapy and minimizing the risk of bacteria resistance,which can be made with electrochemical sensors tailored with appropriate materials.In this paper,we report on sensors made with screen-printed electrodes(SPE)coated with fullerene(C60),reduced graphene oxide(rGO)and Nafion(NF)(C60-rGO-NF/SPE)to determine the antibiotic metronidazole(MTZ).Under optimized conditions,the C60-rGO-NF/SPE sensor exhibited a linear response in square wave voltammetry for MTZ concentrations from 2.5×10^(-7) to 34×10^(-6) mol/L,with a detection limit of 2.1×10^(-7) mol/L.This sensor was also capable of detecting MTZ in serum and urine,with recovery between 94%and 100%,which are similar to those of the standard chromatographic method(HPLC-UV).Because the C60-rGO-NF/SPE sensor is amenable to mass production and allows for MTZ determination with simple principles of detection,it fulfills the requirements of therapeutic drug monitoring programs.

Anodic voltammetric determination of gemifloxacin using screen-printed carbon electrode

The electrochemical oxidation behavior and voltammetric assay of gemifloxacin were investigated using differential-pulse and cyclic voltammetry on a screen-printed carbon electrode.The effects of pH,scan rates,and concentration of the drug on the anodic peak current were studied.Voltammograms of gemifloxacin in Tris-HCl buffer（pH 7.0） exhibited a well-defined single oxidation peak.A differential-pulse voltammetric procedure for the quantitation of gemifloxacin has been developed and suitably validated with respect to linearity,limits of detection and quantification,accuracy,precision,specificity,and robustness.The calibration was linear from 0.5 to 10.0 μM,and the limits of detection and quantification were 0.15 and 5.0 μM.Recoveries ranging from 96.26% to 103.64% were obtained.The method was successfully applied to the determination of gemifloxacin in pharmaceutical tablets without any pre-treatment.Excipients present in the tablets did not interfere in the assay.

Gold Nanoparticles/Thermochromic Composite Film on Screen-Printed Electrodes for Simultaneous Detection of Protein and Temperature

In this study, gold nanoparticles and thermochromic composite films modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (TM-AuNPsSPCEs) were developed as a platform for the simultaneous detection of protein and temperature. The TM-AuNPs composited film had better sensitivity resulting from the gold nanoparticles amplification effect. A phase transition model analysis of TM-AuNPs films found that the TM-AuNPs films had three-phase transition intervals (<45℃, 45℃ to 80℃ and >80℃) which accommodated the temperature requirements for protein denaturation. When used to detect different concentrations of haemoglobin (Hb) solution, the TM-AuNPs modified SPCEs had a better sensitivity in detecting the different concentrations in comparison to TM and AuNP modified SPCEs which showed no clear sensitivity towards the different Hb concentrations. The dual detection and excellent sensitivity show a good application prospect for the study of the TM-AuNPs composite film.

Amperometric Glucose Sensor Based on Batch CuO-Modified Screen-Printed Silver-Carbon Electrodes

CuO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a two-jet electrospun method,and then screen-printed on silver-carbon electrodes,forming CuO-modified Ag-C(CuO/Ag-C)disposable strip electrodes.In natural environment condition for glucose detection,the obtained CuO/Ag-C electrodes show a high sensitivity of 540 nA·mM^(-1)·cm^(-2),and a low limit of detection(0.68 mM)in a wide linear response range of 0.68 mM and 3 mM(signal/noise=3),respectively.In addition,the CuO/Ag-C electrodes also exhibit excellent anti-interference,air stability and repeatability.As a result,the fabrication of CuO nanoparticles via an electrospun process and the technique of screen-printed electrodes are of great significance for glucose detection.

Silver Nanowire Electrodes: Conductivity Improvement Without Post-treatment and Application in Capacitive Pressure Sensors

Transparent electrode based on silver nanowires(Ag NWs) emerges as an outstanding alternative of indium tin oxide film especially for flexible electronics. However, the conductivity of Ag NWs transparent electrode is still dramatically limited by the contact resistance between nanowires at high transmittance. Polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) layer adsorbed on the nanowire surface acts as an electrically insulating barrier at wire–wire junctions, and some devastating post-treatment methods are proposed to reduce or eliminate PVP layer, which usually limit the application of the substrates susceptible to heat or pressure and burden the fabrication with high-cost, time-consuming, or inefficient processes. In this work, a simple and rapid pre-treatment washing method was proposed to reduce the thickness of PVP layer from 13.19 to0.96 nm and improve the contact between wires. Ag NW electrodes with sheet resistances of 15.6 and 204 X sq-1have been achieved at transmittances of 90 and 97.5 %, respectively. This method avoided any post-treatments and popularized the application of high-performance Ag NW transparent electrode on more substrates. The improved Ag NWs were successfully employed in a capacitive pressure sensor with high transparency, sensitivity, and reproducibility.

Solid Reference Electrode of Metallurgical Oxygen Sensor

The thermal equilibrium state of the reference electrode was investigated. The results show that the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of zirconia tube was very small and the Seebeck effect can be ignored after the sensor was dipped into liquid steel for more than 2 s. A special sensor was designed to test the relation between the EMF （electromotive force） of sensor and the thermal equilibrium state of the reference elec- trode. Based on these results, it is suggested that the peak in EMF curve was caused by the change of oxygen potential in reference electrode before the thermal equilibrium was reached. If NiO was added by 2 M- 5 M to the Cr/Cr2O3 reference electrode, the peak in EMF curve could be eliminated.

A Novel Uniplanar Multi-Electrode Capacitive Sensor for In-Situ Weathering Damage Detection of Nonmetallic Materials

A uniplanar capacitive sensor with 5-electrodes on one plane substrate and a large reflector electrode,was designed to get the corresponding capacitance information for weathering damage detection of non-metallic materials exposed to a service environment.A 2-D finite-element method was employed to simulate the electric potential distribution and capacitance measurements for the sensor.2 marble slabs,one was healthy and the other was notched,were experimentally detected.Both the simulation and the preliminary experimental results show that the measured capacitances decrease after weathering damage occurs in nonmetallic material.The reflector can enlarge the sensitive depth.The weathering assessment of nonmetallic materials can be done by processing the measured capacitances.The proposed approach can effectively detect the weathering damage of nonmetallic material and can be practically used for in-situ weathering damage evaluation.

Seismic Noise Suppression for Ground-Based Investigation of an Inertial Sensor by Suspending the Electrode Cage

Performance test of a high precise accelerometer or an inertial sensor on the ground is inevitably limited by the seismic noise. A torsion pendulum has been used to investigate the performances of an electrostatic accelerometer, where the test mass is suspended by a fiber to compensate for its weight, and this scheme demonstrates an advantage, compared with the high-voltage levitation scheme, in which the effect of the seismic noise can be suppressed for a few orders of magnitude in low frequencies. In this work, the capacitive electrode cage is proposed to be suspended by another pendulum, and theoretical analysis shows that the effects of the seismic noise can be further suppressed for more than one order by suspending the electrode cage.

SPE Membrane Electrode and Its Application to Chemical Sensor

The structure and proton conducting mechanism of solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) are described. Since the conductivity of electrolyte is important in SPE electrochemical cell research and development, we investigate quantitatively the conductivity of Nafion membrane and its dependence on temperature and relative humidity. Experimental results show that the conductivity of Nafion membrane increases with temperature and relative humidity. We also reports on the preparation and development of SPE membrane electrode with the emphasis on the mixture pressing method and impregnation-reduction process to prepare SPE composite electrode assemblies and their application to electrochemical sensors. We also investigate and fabricate a potentiometric electrochemical sensor of hydrogen and ethylene to measure the hydrogen and ethylene partial pressure.

OSCILLATION FREQUENCY THEORY OF A PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR INLIQUID PHASE WITH TWO SEPARATED－ELECTRODES

In this paper, an oscillation frequency equation for a pizoelectric sensor with two separated-electrodes is theoretically derived and experimentally verified. The correlatione of the oscillation frequency and the liquid properties are investigated.

Electrocatalytic and Sensors Properties of Natural Smectite Type Clay towards the Detection of Paraquat Using a Film-Modified Electrode

In this study, a low-cost and sensitive voltammetric method was developed for the determination of paraquat (PQ2+). This was achieved by coating a glassy carbon electrode with a purified fraction of a smectite-type clay, which was then used to accumulate paraquat by an ion exchange process. The electronanalytical procedure involves two steps: the chemical preconcentration of paraquat under open-circuit conditions in an aqueous medium, followed by the voltammetric detection of the preconcentrated pollutant in a medium containing permanganate ions which significantly improved through its catalytic action the electrode response. A systematic study of the experimental conditions (pH of the accumulation and detection media, permanganate concentration in the detection medium, clay content of the coating, potential and duration of the electrolysis step) on the stripping response were examined in detail. After optimization, a linear calibration curve for paraquat was obtained in the concentration range from 1.6 to 2.8 μM, leading to a detection limit of 3.8 × 10–9 mol·L–1 (S/N = 3). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of paraquat in spring water.

Electrode for Force Sensor of Conductive Rubber

Tactile sensors are believed to be a key element in order to realize robotic fingers to catch a fragile object without damage. Force sensitive conductive rubber is a low-cost material and then attractive for the application to tactile sensors. We have studied the effect of electrodes attached to the rubber sheets. We have tried four kinds of electrodes: vacuum deposited Al, adhesive Cu tape, Al thin film sheet and silver paste. It can be concluded that vacuum deposited Al has the highest potential from the practical point of view;it has the widest dynamic range and good precision at the same time.

Electrodeposited Cobalt-Iron Alloy Thin-Film for Potentiometric Hydrogen Phosphate-Ion Sensor

A cobalt-iron alloy thin-film electrode-based electrochemical hydrogen-phosphate-ion sensor was prepared by electrodepositing on an Au-coated Al2O3 substrate from an aqueous solution of metal-salts. The use of a cobalt-iron alloy electrode greatly improved the hydrogen-ion sensor response performance, i.e., the sensor worked stably for more than 7 weeks and showed a quick response time of several seconds. Among the cobalt and iron alloy systems tested, the electrodeposited Co58Fe42 thin-film electrode showed the best EMF response characteristics, i.e., the sensor exhibited a linear potentiometric response to hydrogen-phosphate ion at the concentration range between 1.0 × 10–5 and 1.0 × 10–2 M with the slope of –43 mV/decade at pH 5.0 and at 30℃. A sensing mechanism of the Co-based potentiometric hydrogen-phosphate ion sensor was proposed on the basis of results of instrumental analysis.

Comparative study of electrostatic sensors with circular and probe electrodes for velocity measurement of pulverised coal

This paper presents recent progress on the velocity measurement of pulverised coal in pneumatic pipelines using electrostatic sensors in combination with correlation signal processing techniques.A comparative study of electrostatic sensors with circular and probe electrodes was conducted on a 94 mm bore horizontal pipeline in a 4 MW furnace.The advantages and limitations of both sensors are discussed.Experimental results demonstrate that both sensors are capable of providing pulverised coal velocity measurement with excellent repeatability and dynamic response.

Sol-Gel Relative Humidity Sensors: Impact of Electrode Geometry on Performance in Soil Suction Measurements

This paper describes the experimental procedure followed to fabricate and validate sol-gel based RH sensors which will be incorporated in soil specimens for standard laboratorial tests. It is the first time such sensors were used for soil suction measurement. They are microfabricated relative humidity sensors (footprint area 11,000 μm × 22,000 μm) operating based on changes in electrical resistivity detected by a cerium doped silica titania film deposited using a sol-gel technique. Their design required gathering experts in several engineering specialties. The working principle of the sensors is based on water vapour equilibrium between the air in the soil and in the sol-gel pores, due to the contact between the two porous materials. The spacing between interdigitated aluminium electrodes was optimized to improve the sensing properties of the sol-gel. The calibration of the different prototypes was done against compacted clay, varying the spacing between 100 and 700 μm. The sensors were also incorporated in soil samples for suction measurement during wetting and drying paths. They were validated by comparing the readings with those from a water dew point potentiometer. From this study it was possible to determine the optimum electrodes spacing of 200 μm. Error was explained by sol-gel heterogeneity effect and by the resolution of the sensing area provided by the electrodes spacing. When comparing with other sensors operating inside soil specimens in standard laboratorial tests, these sol-gel sensors extend the operation range available with the alternative technologies: while conventional tensiometers measure suction ranges from 0 to 1.8 MPa, our sensors demonstrate good results between 1 to 10 MPa (and higher).

All-Solid-State Screen-Printed Sensors for Potentiometric Calcium(II) Determinations in Environmental Samples

This paper describes preparation, characterization and electrochemical performance of novel planar miniaturized all-solid-state (ASS) screen-printed potentiometric sensors for the detection of Ca2+ ions in environmental samples. Screen-printed graphite-based ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) and screen-printed reference electrodes based on silver-containing pastes have been applied in a space saving manner on common ceramic substrates with small dimensions. Applications to environmental samples are shown by direct potentiometry and potentiometric titrations in real water samples. Conducting polymers (CPs) have been used as solid-contact materials and as intermediate layer between the polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-containing ion-selective membrane and the graphite-containing substrate. Different diamides have been incorporated into the PVC membrane. In the range from 10-4 mol/L to 10-1 mol/L, the ISEs show linear slopes of 27 mV/decade, which is close to the Nernstian response. Moreover, the ISEs have response times of 6 months. The novel potentiometric ASS sensors enable simple and exact Ca2+ determinations in real samples.