Solvent-Assisted Modification of Laser-Induced Graphene for Surface-Enhanced Electrochemical Response
Nélio I G Inoque1, Raquel G Rocha1, Gilvana P Siqueira1
1Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38400-902, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Analytical Chemistry
|January 20, 2026
Summary
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment enhances laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes for sensing. This surface modification improves electrochemical activity, enabling sensitive detection of antibiotics like sulfanilamide in various samples.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is a promising material for sensing applications.
- Surface modification of LIG electrodes can significantly impact their electrochemical performance.
- Understanding solvent-induced surface changes is crucial for optimizing LIG-based sensors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of solvent treatment on LIG electrode surface properties and electrochemical activity.
- To demonstrate the enhancement of LIG electrochemical performance using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
- To develop a sensitive sensor for antibiotic detection based on DMSO-modified LIG.
Main Methods:
- Surface modification of LIG electrodes with various solvents, focusing on DMSO.
- Characterization of surface changes using contact-angle measurements, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD).
- Electrochemical evaluation using cyclic voltammetry with a [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe and differential-pulse voltammetry for analyte detection.
Main Results:
- DMSO treatment significantly alters LIG surface wettability, morphology, and functional groups, enhancing electrochemical activity.
- DMSO treatment leads to a 3-fold increase in peak current for the [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe.
- A sensitive sensor for sulfanilamide detection was developed using DMSO-treated LIG, with a limit of detection of 0.09 μmol L-1.
Conclusions:
- Solvent treatments, particularly with DMSO, are effective in enhancing the electrochemical performance of LIG electrodes.
- DMSO-induced surface modifications minimize defects and improve π-π stacking, leading to superior electrochemical activity.
- The developed DMSO-treated LIG sensor shows potential for practical applications in detecting antibiotics and other analytes.
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