Design Criteria for Nanostructured Carbon Materials as Solid Contacts for Ion-Selective Sensors

Yevedzo E. Chipangura, Brian D Spindler, Philippe Bühlmann, Andreas Stein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability to miniaturize ion-selective sensors that enable microsensor arrays and wearable sensor patches for ion detection in environmental or biological samples requires all-solid-state sensors with solid contacts for transduction of an ion activity into an electrical signal. Nanostructured carbon materials function as effective solid contacts for this purpose. They can also contribute to improved potential signal stability, reducing the need for frequent sensor calibration. In this Perspective, the structural features of various carbon-based solid contacts described in the literature and their respective abilities to reduce potential drift during long-term, continuous measurements are compared. These carbon materials include nanoporous carbons with various architectures, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, graphene, and graphite-based solid contacts. The effects of accessibility of ionophores, ionic sites, and other components of an ion-selective membrane to the internal or external carbon surfaces are discussed, because this impacts double-layer capacitance and potential drift. The effects of carbon composition on water-layer formation are also considered, which is another contributor to potential drift during long-term measurements. Recommendations regarding the selection of solid contacts and considerations for their characterization and testing in solid-contact ion-selective electrodes are provided.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2309778
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume36
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 17 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Keywords

  • ion-selective electrode
  • ionophore
  • nanoporous carbon
  • nanostructured carbon
  • potential stability
  • sensors
  • solid contact

MRSEC Support

  • Shared

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article

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