Paper-based electrochemical sensor for on-site detection of the sulphur mustard

Abstract

Herein, we report a novel paper-based electrochemical sensor for on-site detection of sulphur mustards. This sensor was conceived combining office paper-based electrochemical sensor with choline oxidase enzyme to deliver a sustainable sensing tool. The mustard agent detection relies on the evaluation of inhibition degree of choline oxidase, which is reversibly inhibited by sulphur mustards, by measuring the enzymatic by-product HO in chronoamperometric mode. A nanocomposite constituted of Prussian Blue nanoparticles and Carbon Black was used as working electrode modifier to improve the electroanalytical performances. This bioassay was successfully applied for the measurement of a sulphur mustard, Yprite, obtaining a detection limit in the millimolar range (LOD = 0.9 mM). The developed sensor, combined with a portable and easy-to-use instrumentation, can be applied for a fast and cost-effective detection of sulphur mustards.

Paper-Based Screen-Printed Electrodes: A New Generation of Low-Cost Electroanalytical Platforms

“…In two-dimensional devices, the sample is deposited in the same layer in which the electrochemical cell is printed or flows toward it by capillarity. As commented before, platforms are commonly fabricated by patterning a single piece of paper with a hydrophobic material (e.g., wax or photoresist) that delimits hydrophilic microfluidic channels, areas or reservoirs [ 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 ]. Other materials such as adhesive tape can be used either as an additional stencil for printing the electrodes [ 121 , 137 ] or to delimit the area of the working electrode once the ink has been spread on a specific piece of paper [ 138 ].…”

Nanomaterials and Cross-Cutting Technologies for Fostering Smart Electrochemical Biosensors in the Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents

“…To overcome this drawback, we exploited the wax printing technique to easily create the hydrophilic region surrounded by the hydrophobic one to contain the working solution within the electrochemical cell. As an example, I report a paper-based bioassay for the detection of mustard agents using a portable instrument (Figure 3C(a)) [33]. For the manufacturing of paper-based screenprinted electrodes, the hydrophobic zone was printed onto office paper sheets, using a ColorQube 8580 Xerox printer, and treated at 100 • C for 2 min to let the wax homogeneously permeate the paper, producing the hydrophobic pattern designed.…”

“…(C) Paper-based screen-printed electrodes as a platform to detect mustard agents using choline oxidase as a biocomponent. (a-e) procedural steps for the realisation of wax-printed office paper serigraphic printing of conductive inks [33]. (D) Paper-based screen-printed electrode loaded with butyrylcholinesterase to detect paraoxon as a nerve agent simulant using the following steps (A-F) [34].…”

Graphene-based Materials in Gas Sensor Applications: A Review

“…An electrochemical sensor for sulfur mustard gas was developed by employing the choline oxidase enzyme as a sustainable sensing tool. (87) This bioassay sensor measured the enzymatic by-product hydrogen peroxide in the chronoamperometric mode on a modified graphite-based electrode or screen-printed electrode (SPE). Biological molecules, such as enzymes, antibodies, and DNAs, are the pathway for selective detection via single-target-substrate capture.…”