Differential Pulse Voltammetric Tuning of the Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode Surface to Enhance the Electrochemical Performance and Multiplex Detection

Abstract

Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode (SPCE) has shown tremendous scope for the miniaturization and commercialization of low-cost electrochemical sensors and biosensors devices. But the commercial SPCEs have a narrow potential window (PW) that limits their versatile applications for various analytes owing to the presence of some inherent redox peaks in the wider PW. In this work, we have explored the most effective and innovative electrochemical tuning of the SPCE surface using DPV (differential pulse voltammetry) for the removal of those inherent redox peaks that are responsible for narrowing the working PW. After that, the electrochemical performance of the tuned SPCE electrode was evaluated in terms of a range of electrochemical parameters including reproducibility by CV (Cyclic Voltammetry), DPV and EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) measurements using [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3−/4− as a model redox analyte. In addition, the suitability of the tuned electrode for multiple analytes detection was tested in presence of a mixture of Cd 2+ (cadmium), Cu 2+ (copper) and Hg 2+ (Mercury) ions using CV and DPV techniques. The electrochemical analysis data show that after electrochemical DPV treatment, the SPCE surface exhibits excellent reproducibility and electrochemical performance within a wider PW minimizing their inherent drawback creating a wide scope of their precise applications in various fields. Narrow electrochemical (EC) potential window (PW) limits the vast applications of SPCE. Inherent electroactive functional groups (IEFG) of SPCE surface interfere with its EC performance. DPV cathodization is a simple, rapid, and innovative technique for the removal of IEFG. After DPV tunning the EC performance of SPCE has been improved significantly. The wider PW of tuned SPCE creates a great scope for the precise detection of multiple analytes.