Screen printed 3D microfluidic paper-based and modifier-free electroanalytical device for clozapine sensing

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Accessible and affordable analytical tools are crucial for personalized medicine, particularly for monitoring drug serum levels like anti-psychotics in schizophrenia.
• Microfluidic paper-based electroanalytical devices (μPEDs) offer a portable and sensitive platform, but engineering aspects like electrode arrangement are less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of 3D electrode arrangements in modifier-free μPEDs compared to 2D arrangements.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using screen printing for fabricating 3D μPEDs.
• To evaluate the performance of 3D μPEDs for clozapine (CLZ) sensing in human blood serum.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 2D and 3D microfluidic paper-based electroanalytical devices (μPEDs) using screen printing.
• Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry with [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe.
• Quantitative analysis of clozapine (CLZ) using square-wave voltammetry.

Main Results:

• The 3D μPED configuration significantly increased electrochemically active surface area and electron transfer rates compared to 2D designs.
• Screen printing was successfully employed to create the 3D μPED.
• The 3D μPED demonstrated superior signal strength for CLZ sensing.
• Optimized 3D μPED achieved a limit of detection of 1.47 μM for CLZ in human blood serum, with a linear range from 7.0 to 100 μM.

Conclusions:

• 3D electrode arrangement in μPEDs enhances electrochemical performance, leading to improved sensitivity for drug monitoring.
• Screen-printable 3D μPEDs represent a promising, cost-effective platform for personalized therapeutic drug monitoring.
• This technology holds potential for pharmacokinetic analysis and clinical applications in managing schizophrenia treatment.