Printed graphene electrochemical phosphate sensors
AssigneeKansas State University Research Foundation
InventorsSuprem R. Das, Rajavel Krishnamoorthy, Thiba Nagaraja
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Abstract
Graphene-based electrochemical sensors and uses thereof in detecting and measuring the concentration of a target substance with a sample are provided. In particular, the sensors, comprising electrodes printed from a graphene ink, can be configured to monitor phosphate ion concentration in the environment, including within soil and/or surface water.
Claims17
A method of testing a sample for the presence of a target substance comprising:
- dispersing the sample within a medium comprising a recognition agent that is operable to react with the target substance;
- contacting the medium within which the sample is dispersed with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a printed graphene electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode;
- inducing an electrochemical reaction between the target substance and the recognition agent;
- and
- detecting a peak current signal at a characteristic applied voltage to the working electrode with respect to the reference electrode, the peak current signal being proportional to the concentration of the target substance within the sample.
A method of testing a sample for the presence of a target substance comprising:
- dispersing the sample within an electrolyte medium;
- contacting the medium within which the sample is dispersed with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a functionalized printed graphene electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, the functionalized printed graphene electrode comprising a functional species that is operable to induce an electrochemical reaction with the target substance, wherein the functional species comprises a molybdenum compound or tungsten bound to the graphene of the functionalized printed graphene electrode with a polysaccharide;
- inducing an electrochemical reaction between the target substance and the functional species;
- and
- detecting a peak current signal at a characteristic applied voltage with the sensing device, the peak current signal being proportional to the concentration of the target substance within the sample.
A sensing device for measuring the concentration of phosphate ions within a test sample comprising a printed graphene electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, the printed graphene electrode comprising few atomic layered graphene particles, wherein the printed graphene electrode comprises a functional species bound to the graphene of the printed graphene electrode with a binding agent.
A method of manufacturing a graphene electrode comprising:
- printing an electrical trace onto a thin film substrate using a graphene ink, the graphene ink comprising few atomic layered graphene particles that are encapsulated by an exfoliating agent and dispersed within a liquid vehicle system;
- annealing the thin film substrate having the electrical trace printed thereon to decompose the exfoliating agent and remove at least a portion of the liquid vehicle system;
- and
- applying a mixture of a functional species and a binding agent to the annealed thin film substrate over at least a portion of the electrical trace.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.