Nanocarbon film electrodes for electro-analysis and electrochemical sensors

Abstract

Carbon films fabricated by sputtering and a related vacuum technique have unique features as regards electrochemical performance including relatively high electrochemical activity, and a wide potential window with low noise, in addition to low cost and the capacity for fabrication with any shape and size. Various applications for detecting environmental and biochemical molecules have been reported in recent years. This review focuses on the fabrication, structure, and electrochemical properties of carbon film electrodes. The review also introduces applications of carbon, heteroatom doped and surface terminated carbon film electrodes for heavy metal detection, biomolecular sensing, and DNA methylation level quantitative analysis. • Sputtered carbon films are introduced including their structure, electrochemical performance, and application. • The potential window of the carbon films increases by increasing sp 3 concentrations. • The electrochemical activity of carbon films depends on the nanocrystalline structure and surface functional groups. • A variety of the applications are introduced including detection of small biochemicals, DNAs and environmental pollutants.