Simple graphite/PVC ink-designed paper-based electrodes integrated with a 3D-printed electrochemical device for
Gleidson Thiago Sá Araújo1, Lucas Costa Faustino2, Rejane Maria Pereira Silva1
1Department of Chemistry - PPGQ, State University of Piauí, Campus Poeta Torquato Neto, Pirajá, Teresina, PI, 64002-150, Brazil.
Mikrochimica Acta
|February 26, 2025
Summary
A novel, cost-effective portable electroanalytical device utilizes a graphite/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) paper-based electrode and a 3D-printed electrochemical cell. This system demonstrates reliable detection of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine in synthetic urine.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Development of portable and cost-effective electroanalytical devices is crucial for point-of-care diagnostics.
- Existing methods often require complex fabrication or expensive materials.
- Paper-based electrodes offer a promising platform for low-cost sensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a simple and cost-effective methodology for manufacturing a portable electroanalytical device.
- To optimize the composition of graphite/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ink for paper-based electrodes (PGEs).
- To demonstrate the device's utility for detecting 3-nitro-L-tyrosine (3-NLT) in synthetic urine.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of disposable PGEs by paint-brushing a graphite/PVC conductive ink onto kraft paper.
- Optimization of graphite/PVC weight proportions (wt%) for mechanical stability and electrochemical performance.
- Characterization using cyclic voltammetry (CV) with [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).
- Application for 3-NLT detection in synthetic urine samples.
Main Results:
- The optimal PGE composition was determined to be 80:20 wt% graphite/PVC (PGE8020), balancing conductivity and adhesion.
- Increased graphite content improved charge transfer kinetics, indicated by reduced peak potential separation and increased current in CV analysis.
- SEM and EDS confirmed a more uniform and rugous deposition of the conductive ink at 80 wt% graphite.
- The device achieved a detection limit of 2.85 μmol L-1 for 3-NLT with high recovery rates (97-109%) in synthetic urine.
Conclusions:
- A simple, reproducible, and cost-effective portable electroanalytical device was successfully developed.
- The optimized graphite/PVC paper-based electrode demonstrates excellent electrochemical properties.
- The device shows high reliability and applicability for the quantitative detection of 3-NLT in complex matrices like synthetic urine.
