Publication details
Simultaneous activation and nanomaterial modification of electrode surfaces using spark discharges
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2019 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | XIX. Workshop of Biophysical Chemists and Electrochemists |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Keywords | nanomaterial modification; spark discharge; inorganic nanoparticles; chemical activation; electrochemical activation; low temperature plasma |
| Description | The sensors capable to sensitively determine diverse analytes important in various research and industry applications often utilize electrochemical principles. Novel strategies to develop cheap and easy to use sensors, preferentially disposable and mass producible are intensely studied. Often, these sensors use inorganic nanoparticles (mostly metallic) or nanomaterials (graphene, nanotubes etc.) The fabrication of nanoparticle based sensors can be tedious, encompassing a number of steps, including nanoparticle synthesis, purification, embedding in a suitable matrix, application onto sensor surface, temperature stabilization etc. The specific problem of mass produced sensors is the surface poorly performing from the electrochemical point of view, exhibiting sluggish electron transfer between the electrode surface and analyte molecules or electrode surface and modifying nanomaterial, triggering the need to activate the electrodes prior to modification and use. As an alternative to mechanical polishing, often impractical with mass produced sensors, chemical activation (e.g. exposing to oxidiying agents), electrochemical activation (e.g. potential cycling) or low temperature plasma is used. A novel approach based on application of spark discharges offers simultaneous activation and nanomaterial modification of electrode surfaces. The lecture aims at presenting an overview of current work on spark discharge modified disposable electrodes [1-7]. |