CNT Aerogel film based Novel Approach for Development of Ultra-Sensitive electrochemical Sensor Platforms with glassy carbon, screen-printed, and interdigitated electrodes

Abstract

In sensor applications, the introduction of CNTs onto sensing substrates currently entails intricate processes with concerns over stability. This study demonstrate the utilization of CNT aerogel electrode as an ultrasensitive platform. Further introducing a novel approach employing a cast and pull-back technique along with drop-casting for successful binder less deposition of CNTs onto sensing substrates, utilizing a CNT aerogel film to augment the sensitivity of conventional glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs), screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), and interdigitated electrodes (IDEs). Scanning electron microscopy validates the deposition of CNT forests on GCE, entangled CNT networks on SPE, and IDE. Comparative electrochemical analyses reveal superior performance of CNT-incorporated SPE and GCE sensors, with the CNT aerogel electrode standing out prominently. Notably, CNT-incorporated SPE and GCE sensors demonstrate a respective approximately 12- and 2-fold increase in electrochemical active surface area, whereas the CNT aerogel electrode displays remarkable ~ 40-fold enhancement. For IDE, a significant 1700-fold change in resistance of IDE-CNT in the presence of a redox solution surpasses the 200-fold change observed in bare IDE, underscoring a substantial sensitivity enhancement facilitated by CNT incorporation. The mechanical integrity of CNT aerogel electrode post-exposure to liquids and sonication attests to its robust nature. The preservation of the deposited CNT forest on the SPE and GCE sensor platforms after multiple measurements further underscores its stability. This study positions the CNT aerogel electrode as a resilient and highly sensitive platform, particularly well-suited for the transfer of CNT networks onto diverse sensing substrates, thereby showcasing its potential to advance biomedical sensor technology.