Printable Potentiometric Ion-Selective Electrodes Based on Carbon Fiber and Ti₃C₂T_x MXene Nanoflakes: Eliminating...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Portable electrochemical sensors, particularly ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), are crucial for real-time ion detection.
• Traditional ISEs utilize polymer membranes and conductive materials, but advancements are needed for enhanced sensitivity and cost-effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare traditional carbon fiber ISEs (CF-ISEs) with MXene-based alternatives for ion sensing.
• To evaluate MXene's potential in fabricating sensitive, cost-effective, and flexible electrochemical sensors.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of MXene-only electrodes on glass and screen-printed MXene ISEs (SPMXEs) on flexible substrates for Ca2+ ion sensing.
• Comparison of MXene-modified CF-ISEs (MXCF-ISEs) with traditional CF-ISEs using Ag/AgCl and polyelectrolyte transducers.
• Testing sensor performance in complex media including milk, sparkling water, and seawater.

Main Results:

• MXene-based ISEs demonstrated robust performance and enhanced sensitivity compared to traditional CF-ISEs.
• Screen-printed MXene ISEs on flexible substrates showed promising results for Ca2+ ion sensing in various complex matrices.
• MXene's high conductivity and compatibility with printing techniques enable low-cost sensor fabrication without compromising accuracy.

Conclusions:

• MXene presents a viable and cost-effective material for developing next-generation portable electrochemical sensors.
• These findings support the use of MXene in point-of-care diagnostics and environmental monitoring applications.
• MXene-based sensors offer a promising pathway towards flexible, sensitive, and affordable ion detection systems.