Characterization and Electrochemical Analysis of Microelectrodes and the Interface with a Fabricated 3D-Printed Microfluidic Chip in an Upper-Division Analytical Course

• Chelsea DeLeon ^[1] ; Tara Tabibi ^[1] ; Asmira Alagic ^[1]
  1. [1] Saint Louis University

     Saint Louis University

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 97, Nº 12, 2020, págs. 4453-4461
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • This work explores the interface between 3D-printing, material sciences, and microfluidics with electrochemical detection in an undergraduate laboratory. This work includes a module for the characterization and electrochemical analysis of microelectrodes that spans 4 weeks (3 h per week). Laboratory exercises include the fabrication of a 3D-printed device, examination of 3D-printing techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemistry. This interdisciplinary curricula exposed students to the process of designing a functioning microfluidic device. Students began by designing the microfluidic chip with AutoDesk Inventor. To gain a better understanding of the microelectrodes utilized in a microfluidic system, students explored the surfaces of various microelectrodes with SEM. On the basis of the visualization of the microelectrodes with SEM, students formed a hypothesis on the impact of electrode surface area on the sensitivity and limit of detection. Cyclic voltammetry in a classical three-electrode system was used to experimentally examine the relationship between electrode surface area and sensitivity. The module concluded with the use of the fabricated 3D-printed chip and amperometry to develop a calibration curve and determination of an unknown concentration of analyte. This work highlights the integration of 3D-printing, SEM, microfluidics, and electrochemistry into the upper-level undergraduate curriculum.