Batch fabrication of electrochemical sensors on a glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate-based microfluidic device

Abstract

Developing low-cost methods for the fabrication of electrochemical microfluidic devices is urgently needed for transferring such devices from fundamental research to daily-life technology. Herein, glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG)-based microfluidic devices with embedded channels and gold film electrode (GFE) are developed by a one-step, low-cost, straightforward, and mass-producible method, and are sealed by a reversible hydrophilic tape-based mechanism. Easily accessible poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (polyester, PET), and PETG are explored as substrate options for fabricating electrochemical sensors. The results demonstrated that PETG can be an excellent substrate for fabricating the electrode. The electrochemical stability and morphology of the device are investigated. Both redox ions ([Fe(CN)6]3-/4-) and redox organic compounds (dopamine) are used as model analytes to prove the electrochemical performance of the device. The PETG-based microfluidic devices integrated with electrochemical sensors can be used as alternative electrochemical devices for the detection of biological and chemical analytes. Meanwhile, batch-fabricated flexible electrochemical sensors based on PETG film and their electrochemical performance are reported.