Fabrication and modification of homemade paper-based electrode systems

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Biosensor Technology

Background:

• Electrochemical biosensing offers portability, low cost, and rapid responses, crucial for widespread diagnostics, especially during pandemics.
• Existing commercial devices can be expensive and less accessible for broad implementation.
• There is a need for simple, affordable methods to fabricate reliable electrochemical biosensors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a simple and inexpensive fabrication method for homemade paper-based carbon-printed electrodes (HP C-PEs).
• To evaluate the electrochemical and mechanical properties of these novel electrodes for biosensing applications.
• To demonstrate the potential for wide-scale adoption of these easily producible biosensors.

Main Methods:

• Cellulose filter paper was modified with wax to create a hydrophobic substrate.
• Electrodes were manually printed onto the cellulose/wax substrate in 2- and 3-electrode configurations.
• Electrochemical and potentiometric readings were performed, along with mechanical stress tests (electrode bending).

Main Results:

• Both 2- and 3-electrode systems exhibited excellent electrochemical and mechanical properties, outperforming some commercial devices.
• The 3-electrode system showed high current, low potential separation, and stable signals upon bending, indicating large active areas.
• In-situ polymer modification proved successful, enhancing device features compared to other methods.
• The 2-electrode system demonstrated high stability for potentiometric sensing.

Conclusions:

• The described fabrication process for HP C-PEs is simple, inexpensive, and utilizes readily available materials.
• These electrodes are suitable for producing robust electrochemical biosensors with excellent performance.
• The method facilitates the development of accessible and widely deployable biosensing technologies.