Disposable Miniaturized Screen-Printed pH and Reference Electrodes for Potentiometric Systems

A screen-printed three-electrode-type sticker device with an accurate liquid junction-type reference electrode

We developed a novel sticker device that can convert any metal or alloy into the working electrode of a three-electrode system, enabling simple and accurate measurement. The sticker, containing a counter electrode and a stable and accurate liquid junction-type reference electrode, is attached to the metal or alloy; meanwhile the surface exposed from a hole in the device functions as the working electrode. This sticker device was fabricated by screen-printing. The polarization curve of the copper and tin-plated copper measured using the sticker device exhibited approximately the same behavior as that obtained for the conventional three-electrode system. The characteristics of various materials can be easily evaluated using this system by only dropping a small amount of solution.

Amperometric micro pH measurements in oxygenated saliva

An amperometric micro pH sensor has been developed based on the chemical oxidation of carbon fibre surfaces (diameter of 9 μm and length of ca. 1 mm) to enhance the population of surface quinone groups for the measurement of salivary pH. The pH analysis utilises the electrochemically reversible two-electron, two-proton behaviour of surface quinone groups on the micro-wire electrodes. A Nernstian response is observed across the pH range 2-8 which is the pH range of many biological fluids. We highlight the measurement of pH in small volumes of biological fluids without the need for oxygen removal and specifically the micro pH electrode is examined by measuring the pH of commercial synthetic saliva and authentic human saliva samples. The results correspond well with those obtained by using commercial glass pH electrodes on large volume samples.

Carbon Nanotube-Based Ion Selective Sensors for Wearable Applications

Wearable electronics offer new opportunities in a wide range of applications, especially sweat analysis using skin sensors. A fundamental challenge in these applications is the formation of sensitive and stable electrodes. In this article we report the development of a wearable sensor based on carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode arrays for sweat sensing. Solid-state ion selective electrodes (ISEs), sensitive to Na⁺ ions, were prepared by drop coating plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) doped with ionophore and ion exchanger on CNT electrodes. The ion selective membrane (ISM) filled the intertubular spaces of the highly porous CNT film and formed an attachment that was stronger than that achieved with flat Au, Pt, or carbon electrodes. Concentration of the ISM solution used influenced the attachment to the CNT film, the ISM surface morphology, and the overall performance of the sensor. Sensitivity of 56 ± 3 mV/decade to Na⁺ ions was achieved. Optimized solid-state reference electrodes (REs), suitable for wearable applications, were prepared by coating CNT electrodes with colloidal dispersion of Ag/AgCl, agarose hydrogel with 0.5 M NaCl, and a passivation layer of PVC doped with NaCl. The CNT-based REs had low sensitivity (-1.7 ± 1.2 mV/decade) toward the NaCl solution and high repeatability and were superior to bare Ag/AgCl, metals, carbon, and CNT films, reported previously as REs. CNT-based ISEs were calibrated against CNT-based REs, and the short-term stability of the system was tested. We demonstrate that CNT-based devices implemented on a flexible support are a very attractive platform for future wearable technology devices.

New Developments in Smart Bandage Technologies for Wound Diagnostics

The pH of wound fluid has long been recognized as an important diagnostic for assessing wound condition, but as yet there are few technological options available to the clinician. The availability of sensors that can measure wound pH, either in the clinic or at home could significantly improve clinical outcome - particularly in the early identification of complications such as infection. New material designs and electrochemical research strategies that are being targeted at wound diagnostics are identified and a critical overview of emerging research that could be pivotal in setting the direction for future devices is provided.

Molecular Wiring in Smart Dressings: Opening a New Route to Monitoring Wound pH

It has been proposed that fluctuations in wound pH can give valuable insights into the healing processes in chronic wounds, but acquiring such data can be a technological challenge especially where there is little sample available. Developments in voltammetric pH sensing have opened up new avenues for the design of probes that can function in ultra-small volumes and can be inherently disposable but, as yet few can meet the demands of wound monitoring. A preliminary investigation of the pH response of a new redox wire prepared from a peptide homopolymer of tryptophan is presented and its potential applicability as a sensing material for use in smart dressings is critically discussed.

New Developments in Electrochemical Sensors Based on Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-Modified Electrodes

There is a growing demand for continuous, fast, selective, and sensitive monitoring of key analytes and parameters in the control of diseases and health monitoring, foods quality and safety, and quality of the environment. Sensors based on electrochemical transducers represent very promising tools in this context. Conducting polymers (CPs) have drawn considerable interest in recent years because of their potential applications in different fields such as in sensors, electrochemical displays, and in catalysis. Among the organic conducting polymers, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and its derivatives have attracted particular interest due to their high stability and high conductivity. This paper summarizes mainly the recent developments in the use of PEDOT-based composite materials in electrochemical sensors.