Laser-induced Graphene Electrodes Research Articles

One‐Step Laser Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles and Laser‐Induced Graphene in a Paper Substrate for Non‐Enzymatic Glucose Sensing

AbstractThe synergy resulting from the high conductivity of graphene and catalytic properties of metal nanoparticle has been a resource to improve the activity and functionality of electrochemical sensors. This work focuses on the simultaneous synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and laser‐induced graphene (LIG) derived from paper, through a one‐step laser processing approach. A chromatography paper substrate with drop‐casted copper sulfate is used for the fabrication of this hybrid material, characterized in terms of its morphological, chemical, and conductive properties. Appealing conductive properties are achieved, with sheet resistance of 170 Ω sq−1 being reached, while chemical characterization confirms the simultaneous synthesis of the conductive carbon electrode material and metallic copper nanostructures. Using optimized laser synthesis and patterning conditions, LIG/CuNPs‐based working electrodes are fabricated within a three‐electrode planar cell, and their electrochemical performance is assessed against pristine LIG electrodes, demonstrating good electron transfer kinetics appropriate for electrochemical sensing. The sensor's ability to detect glucose through a non‐enzymatic route is optimized, to assure good sensing performance in standard samples and in artificial sweat complex matrix.

Flexible electrochemical sensor with 2D-on-2D layered structure for real-time on-site intelligent detection of carbendazim residues on fresh tea leaves

Excessive use of carbendazim (CBZ) for controlling fungal disease may result in pesticide residues in growth environments. There is an urgent requirement for real-time detection of CBZ content to enable rapid assessment of pesticide residues. Herein, a novel electrochemical sensor was created, which utilizes a laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode modified with two-dimensional (2D) tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanosheets and a poly(L-lysine) (PLL) film to construct a 2D-on-2D layered structure. The PLL/WS2/LIG electrode exhibits strong charge transfer, excellent electrocatalytic performance, and high CBZ adsorption capacity, thus leading to enhanced sensitivity. As a result, the sensor exhibits a low detection limit of 1.2 ng/mL (6.2 nM), high sensitivity up to 135.1 μA(μg/mL)−1cm−2, and a wide response range of 0.01 to 1.5 μg/mL. Moreover, an intelligent analysis system, consisting of a portable device that connects to an online cloud platform equipped with a machine learning model and visualization software, has been developed for the real-time detection of CBZ residues on tea leaves in tea plantations. This study demonstrates that the PLL/WS2/LIG sensor and the intelligent analysis system have great potential to monitor pesticide residues to guarantee food safety.

Elucidating Charge Transfer Processes and Enhancing Electrochemical Performance of Laser-Induced Graphene via Surface Engineering with Sustainable Hydrogel Membranes: An Electrochemist's Perspective

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has emerged as a promising solvent-free strategy for producing highly porous, 3D graphene structures, particularly for electrochemical applications. However, the unique character of LIG and hydrogel membrane (HM) coated LIG requires accounting for the specific conditions of its charge transfer process. This study investigates electron transfer kinetics and the electroactive surface area of LIG electrodes, finding efficient kinetics for the [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox process, with a high rate constant of 4.89 x 10-3 cm/s. The impact of polysaccharide HM coatings (cationic chitosan, neutral agarose and anionic sodium alginate) on LIG's charge transfer behavior is elucidated, considering factors like ohmic drop across porous LIG and Coulombic interactions/permeability affecting diffusion coefficient (D), estimated from amperometry.It was found that D of redox species is lower for HM-coated LIGs, and is the lowest for chitosan HM. Chitosan coating results in increased capacitive share in the total current while does not apparently reduce Faradaic current. Experimental findings are supported by ab-initio calculations showing an electrostatic potential map’s negative charge distribution upon chitosan chain protonation, having an effect in over a two-fold redox current increase upon switching the pH from 7.48 to 1.73. This feature is absent for other studied HMs. It was also revealed that the chitosan's band gap was reduced to 3.07 eV upon acetylation, due to the introduction of a new LUMO state. This study summarizes the operating conditions enhanced by HM presence, impacting redox process kinetics and presenting unique challenges for prospective LIG/HM systems’ electrochemical applications.

Lab-on-a-lollipop (LoL) platform for preventing food-induced toxicity: all-in-one system for saliva sampling and electrochemical detection of vanillin.

Saliva has emerged as a primary biofluid for non-invasive disease diagnostics. Saliva collection involves using kits where individuals stimulate saliva production via a chewing device like a straw, then deposit the saliva into a designated collection tube. This process may pose discomfort to patients due to the necessity of producing large volumes of saliva and transferring it to the collection vessel. This work has developed a saliva collection and analysis device where the patient operates it like a lollipop, stimulating saliva production. The lollipop-mimic device contains yarn-based microfluidic channels that sample saliva and transfer it to the sensing zone embedded in the stem of the device. We have embedded electrochemical sensors in the lollipop platform to measure vanillin levels in saliva. Vanillin is the most common food flavoring additive and is added to most desserts such as ice cream, cakes, and cookies. Overconsumption of vanillin can cause side effects such as muscle weakness, and damage to the liver, kidneys, stomach, and lungs. We detected vanillin using direct oxidation at a laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode. We showed a dynamic range of 2.5 μM to 30 μM, covering the physiologically relevant concentration of vanillin in saliva. The lab-on-a-lollipop platform requires only 200 μL of saliva and less than 2 minutes to fill the channels and complete the measurement. This work introduces the first sensor-embedded lollipop-mimic saliva collection and measurement system.

CuO nanoparticles embedded in laser-induced graphene for flexible planar micro-supercapacitors

Utilizing predefined electrode geometries, laser direct writing technology is employed to intricately inscribe flexible polyimide (PI) films, thereby inducing porous graphene patterned electrodes for flexible planar micro-supercapacitors (MSCs), which greatly facilitates the integration of MSCs into functional devices for power supply. Nevertheless, prevailing challenges confront current flexible MSCs relying on laser-induced graphene (LIG), including the constrained electrochemical functionality of pure LIG electrodes and the uneven incorporation of heterogeneous constituents within LIG electrodes. In light of these challenges, this study delves into the fundamental mechanism underlying the formation of polyimide (PI) films and introduces an innovative approach to uniformly integrate CuO nanoparticles into the poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) precursor solution. The subsequent imidization process culminates in the synthesis of a CuO-embedded PI film. The research progresses to the fabrication of shape-controllable CuO/LIG patterned electrodes utilizing a precision laser direct writing technique, and the subsequent construction of flexible planar MSCs. Harnessing the synergistic interactions between the dual components within the electrode, the resulting MSC possesses an impressive areal capacitance of 6.45 mF·cm-2, coupled with an energy density of 0.896 mWh·cm-2 and a power density of 0.081 mW·cm-2, thus illustrating the potential of this innovative material integration for high-performance flexible energy storage implementations.

Printed and Laser Induced Graphene Electrochemical Biosensors for Rapid Environmental and Biomedical Monitoring

This presentation will demonstrate how low-cost printed and flexible graphene circuits can overcome the challenges associated with conventional electrical circuits to open the door to a highly sensitive monitoring of biochemical threats and toxins including nerve agents/pesticides. The use of inkjet and aerosol printing; spin coating; and laser writing (i.e., laser induced graphene) can be used to create such circuits with high resolution (line widths as low as 20 µm). Moreover, the use of rapid-pulse laser annealing of the printed graphene and/or salt porogens added into graphene inks before printing can be used to further improve the electrical conductivity (< 10 ohms/sq.) and electroactive surface area (nano/micro structuring) of the graphene circuits as well as be used to tune the surface of the printed graphene from one that is hydrophilic (water contact angle (WCA) = 48°) to one that is superhydrophobic (WCA = 158°). More recently we demonstrate how graphene synthesis, patterning and surface wettability can all be controlled through a laser induced graphene (LIG) process that creates a high surface area graphene surface directly from polyimide. Such LIG circumvents the need to create solution-phase graphene inks for printing. These printing and laser fabrication techniques are also amenable for use on flexible and chemically/thermally sensitive surfaces including polymers and paper.Moreover, the laser etched printed graphene and LIG exhibits an inherent 3D morphology that significantly increases the electrode electroactive surface over traditional 2D planar graphene electrodes. This large increase in surface area significantly improves the loading of enzyme onto the electrode surface and subsequently increases the heterogenous charge transport during catalytic pesticide sensing. Such ion sensors displayed near-Nernstian sensitivities, wide sensing ranges over four orders of magnitude extending from the 10–2 M down to detection limits in the 10–6 M range or for fertilizer ions (nitrate, ammonium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) reaching down to detection limits less than 1 ppm in some cases in soil and water samples. The pesticide sensing capability of the sensor is able to reach an extremely low picomolar detect limit for organophosphates (paraoxon) and to the nanomolar regime for neonicotinoids in surface waters. We also demonstrate how this flexible LIG electrodes can be coupled with polymeric microfluidics and adhered to the body for continuous monitoring of lactate, glucose, and sodium in the sweat. Finally, we demonstrate how such surface wettability patterning of the printed graphene and LIG itself through laser etching can be used to make hydrophilic LIG tracks surrounded by near superhydrophic sidewalls for open microfluidic fluid transport without the need for polymeric microfluidics. Such open microfluidic tracks enable the splitting and transport of fluid samples to distinct electrochemical sensors for multiplexed biosensing of both fertilizer ion and pesticide monitoring from water samples and assist in harvesting sprayed pesticides in the field. Figure 1

Fabrication of high-resolution, flexible, laser-induced graphene sensors via stencil masking

The advent of wearable sensing platforms capable of continuously monitoring physiological parameters indicative of health status have resulted in a paradigm shift for clinical medicine. The accessibility and adaptability of such portable, unobtrusive devices enables proactive, personalized care based on real-time physiological insights. While wearable sensing platforms exhibit powerful capabilities for continuously monitoring physiological parameters, device fabrication often requires specialized facilities and technical expertise, restricting deployment opportunities and innovation potential. The recent emergence of rapid prototyping approaches to sensor fabrication, such as laser-induced graphene (LIG), provides a pathway for circumventing these barriers through low-cost, scalable fabrication. However, inherent limitations in laser processing restrict the spatial resolution of LIG-based flexible electronic devices to the minimum laser spot size. For a CO2 laser–a commonly reported laser for device production–this corresponds to a feature size of ∼120 μm. Here, we demonstrate a facile, low-cost stencil-masking technique to reduce the minimum resolvable feature size of a LIG-based device from 120 ± 20 μm to 45 ± 3 μm when fabricated by CO2 laser. Characterization of device performance reveals this stencil-masked LIG (s-LIG) method yields a concomitant improvement in electrical properties, which we hypothesize is the result of changes in macrostructure of the patterned LIG. We showcase the performance of this fabrication method via production of common sensors including temperature and multi-electrode electrochemical sensors. We fabricate fine-line microarray electrodes not typically achievable via native CO2 laser processing, demonstrating the potential of the expanded design capabilities. Comparing microarray sensors made with and without the stencil to traditional macro LIG electrodes reveals the s-LIG sensors have significantly reduced capacitance for similar electroactive surface areas. Beyond improving sensor performance, the increased resolution enabled by this metal stencil technique expands capabilities for scalable fabrication of high-performance wearable sensors in low-resource settings without reliance on traditional fabrication pathways.

Influence of heat transfer at the graphene–polyimide interface on laser-induced graphene formation

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) provides a three-dimensional porous structure of graphene, which is suitable for application to energy storage devices and flexible electronics. Controlling the morphology and structure of LIG and understanding its underlying principle are important for enhancing the performance of LIG-based devices. Here, we investigated the effects of graphene interfacing with a precursor material on the LIG formation. A CO2 laser with different powers and scan rates was irradiated on a polyimide film covered with mono-, bi-, and trilayer graphene to fabricate in situ LIG contacts. As the number of graphene layers increases, the threshold energy required for the LIG formation decreases. In addition, the interfacing graphene causes spreading and smoothing of the LIG electrodes in the in-plane direction. A numerical study on the effect of the interfacing graphene on heat transfer was also conducted. The simulation results showed that the graphene layer enhances thermal diffusion to facilitate the LIG formation; this was also observed in the experimental results. Our study on the interfacial effects of a nanomaterial on the LIG formation provides design guidelines for considering heat transfer in LIG electronics fabricated with heterogeneous materials and structures.

A disposable electrochemical magnetic immunosensor for the rapid and sensitive detection of 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine in DNA

5-formylcytosine (5 fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) serve as key intermediates in DNA demethylation process with significant implications for gene regulation and disease progression. In this study, we introduce a novel electrochemical sensing platform specifically designed for the sensitive and selective detection of 5 fC and 5caC in DNA. Protein A-modified magnetic beads (ProtA-MBs) coupled with specific antibodies facilitate the immunorecognition and enrichment of these modified bases. Signal amplification is achieved through several chemical reactions involving the interaction between N3-kethonaxl and guanine, copper-free click chemistry for the attachment of dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO)-Biotin, and the subsequent recognition by streptavidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (SA-HRP). The assay's readout is performed on a disposable laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode, modified with the bead-antibody-DNA complex in a magnetic field, and analyzed using differential pulse voltammetry in a system employing hydroquinone (HQ) as the redox mediator and H2O2 as the substrate. This immunosensor displayed excellent sensitivity, with detection limits of 14.8 fM for 5 fC across a 0.1–1000 pM linear range and 87.4 fM for 5caC across a 0.5–5000 pM linear range, and maintained high selectivity even in the presence of interferences from other DNA modifications. Successful application in quantifying 5 fC and 5caC in genomic DNA from cell extracts, with recovery rates between 97.7% to 102.9%, underscores its potential for clinical diagnostics. N3-kethoxal was used for the first time in an electrochemical sensor. This work not only broadens the toolkit for detecting DNA modifications but also provides a fresh impetus for the development of point-of-care testing (POCT) technologies.

Molecular imprinting sensors based on laser-induced graphene for tigecycline sensing

A highly sensitive and selective molecular imprinting sensor based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was fabricated for the sensing of tigecycline in food samples. The LIG electrodes were fabricated using a CO2 laser, and the optimal parameters of 8.6 W power and 10 cm/s scanning speed yielded a low sheet resistance of 18.2 ± 0.8 Ω/sq. The MIP-AuNP-LIG sensor was prepared by electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine in the presence of tigecycline template. The sensor exhibited a wide linear range (0.01–800 nM) and a low detection limit (0.003 nM) in buffer solution. In milk and meat samples, the sensor showed good sensitivity with LODs of 0.15 nM and 0.21 nM, respectively. The sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity, reproducibility (RSD = 3.6 %), stability (90 % response after 1 month), and reusability (6 cycles, RSD = 4.2 %). The MIP-AuNP-LIG sensor offers a promising tool for monitoring tigecycline residues in complex food matrices, with advantages over other methods in terms of facile fabrication, robustness, and practicality.

Smart wearable flexible sensor based on laser-induced graphene/gold nanoparticles/black phosphorus nanosheets for in situ quercetin detection

In situ detection of metabolic substances in plants is necessary for the development of smart agriculture. However, there is a mechanical mismatch between the traditional rigid sensing interfaces and the softness surface of plant leaves, which can reduce the reliability and accuracy of sensor. Stretchable and flexible sensors provide new solutions to this problem. Herein, using quercetin (Que) as a model, we developed a flexible electrochemical sensor for in situ monitoring of metabolite in plants. A light and thin laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes with good flexibility were obtained after polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) transfer. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and two-dimensional black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets were fabricated on the electrode to further improve the electrochemical performance. The sensor can detect Que concentrations in the range of 1–100 μM with a detection limit of 0.65 μM (S/N=3). The sensor can adapt well to the soft plant leaf surfaces, thus realizing the application of in situ and in vivo detection in the field. This innovative plant wearable biosensor is expected to be a next-generation electronic candidate for intelligent agriculture, paving the way for in-situ and in vivo detection, and facilitating the intelligentsias of modern agriculture.

Single laser synthesis of gold nanoparticles-polypyrrole-chitosan on laser-induced graphene for ascorbic acid detection

The simultaneous synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and graphene by laser ablation was demonstrated. The in-situ synthesis was performed by laser ablation of a polymer substrate covered with a gold precursor dispersion. The gold precursor was prepared in a copolymer solution of pyrrole (Py) and chitosan (Chi) to improve the nucleation of gold embedded on the laser-induced graphene electrode (LIGE). The morphology of AuNPs-pPy-Chi/LIGE was studied by scanning electron microscopy and characterized electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry. A comprehensive investigation of the electrochemical and physical features of the AuNPs-pPy-Chi/LIGE was carried out. The parameters of differential pulse voltammetry were adjusted to enhance the response to ascorbic acid (AA). The AuNPs-pPy-Chi/LIGE produced two linear ranges: from 0.25 to 5.00 and 5.00–25.00 mmol L−1. The limit of detection was 0.22 mmol L−1. Hundreds of electrodes were tested to demonstrate the excellent reproducibility of the AuNPs-pPy-Chi/LIGE fabrication. Overall, the proposed electrode allows the successful detection of AA in orange juice products with acceptable accuracy (recoveries = 97 ± 2 to 109.1 ± 0.7). The preparation strategy of the proposed AuNPs-pPy-Chi/LIGE could be adapted to detect other compounds or biomarkers.

Chitosan Oligosaccharide Laser Lithograph: A Facile Route to Porous Graphene Electrodes for Flexible On-Chip Microsupercapacitors.

In this study, a convenient chitosan oligosaccharide laser lithograph (COSLL) technology was developed to fabricate laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes and flexible on-chip microsupercapacitors (MSCs). With a simple one-step CO2 laser, the pyrolysis of a chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) and in situ welding of the generated LIGs to engineering plastic substrates are achieved simultaneously. The resulting LIG products display a hierarchical porous architecture, excellent electrical conductivity (6.3 Ω sq-1), and superhydrophilic properties, making them ideal electrode materials for MSCs. The pyrolysis-welding coupled mechanism is deeply discussed through cross-sectional analyses and finite element simulations. The MSCs prepared by COSLL exhibit considerable areal capacitance of over 4 mF cm-2, which is comparable to that of the polyimide-LIG-based counterpart. COSLL is also compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) processes, enabling the fabrication of LIG/Au MSCs with comparable areal capacitance and lower internal resistance. Furthermore, the as-prepared MSCs demonstrate excellent mechanical robustness, long-cycle capability, and ease of series-parallel integration, benefiting their practical application in various scenarios. With the use of eco-friendly biomass carbon source and convenient process flowchart, the COSLL emerges as an attractive method for the fabrication of flexible LIG on-chip MSCs and various other advanced LIG devices.

Green smart multifunctional wooden roofs enabled by single-step hydrophobic laser-induced graphene fabrication

Global warming, contributing to the worsening climate crisis, has led to more frequent heavy snowfall and rainfall. This causes corrosion, mold, and structural damage to roofs, which shortens the roofs' lifespan and potentially creates safety hazards. Addressing these challenges, we propose an approach to develop a multifunctional roof crucial for proactive adaptation to extreme weather. In this article, we present hydrophobic laser-induced graphene (LIG) onto wood in a single-step process using femtosecond-laser-direct-writing (FsLDW) technology in ambient air without additional chemical treatment. This hydrophobic LIG, showcasing a high electrical conductivity of 10.0 Ω·sq⁻1 and a high contact angle of 148.8°, seamlessly integrates onto roofs, creating cost-effective, fast, eco-friendly, and smart roofing solutions. The hydrophobic surface of these LIG electrodes incorporates a heating function of LIG showcasing their versatility in providing waterproofing, drying wood, and facilitating de-icing functions. This eco-friendly invention, reliant solely on laser patterning on wood, not only extends roof lifespan but also relieves concerns about electronic waste and recycling, promising the integration of green, smart, and sustainable roofing solutions.

Scalable drop-casting construction of light-addressable photoelectrochemical biosensor on laser-induced graphene electrode arrays for high-throughput drug screening

A drop-casting method for the scalable construction of a solar cell-type light-addressable photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor on commercial phenol resin (PR) plates is reported. The sensor was fabricated by laser writing of addressable laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode arrays on PR plates with ring-disc dual-electrode cell configurations using a 405 nm laser machine. Beneficial from the good hydrophilicity of PR-based LIG and the excellent film formation of bismuth sulfide nanorods (Bi2S3 NRs), uniform Bi2S3 photovoltaic films can be reproducibly deposited onto the LIG disc photoanode array via drop casting modification, which show a sensitive photocurrent response toward thiocholine (TCl) when the ring cathode array was coated with Ag/AgCl. An acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-based PEC biosensor was therefore constructed by a similar drop-casting modification method. The resulting biosensor exhibits good sensitivity toward an AChE inhibitor, i.e., galantamine hydrobromide (GH), with a calibration range of 10–300 μM and a detection limit of 7.33 μM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the biosensor possesses good storage stability, which can achieve the high-throughput screening of AChE inhibitor drugs from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). The present work thus demonstrates the promising application of LIG technology in constructing light-addressable PEC sensing devices with high performance and low cost.

Smart electrochemical determination of food additive (Propyl gallate) in edible oil and chicken samples based on CoSe2@FeS2 nanocomposite modified laser induced graphene electrode

BackgroundThe overuse of synthetic phenolic antioxidants has negative health impacts on individuals. Several sensors have been developed to detect and monitor the level of these substances, frequently necessitating labour-intensive procedures and lengthy processes. MethodsHere, a simple and cost-effective electrode based on CoSe2 and FeS2 nanoparticles which could be actuated by a smart portable device has been developed. CoSe2 nanocorals and FeS2 nanosheets were successfully synthesised through hydrothermal technique and mechanically hybridized. The prepared CoSe2@FeS2 nanocomposite was used to modify the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and the modified electrode was deployed to sense propyl gallate (PG). The electrochemical characteristics of the fabricated sensor were then studied through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Significant findingsThe sensor resulted in a current response that covered a broad linear range from 0.05 μM to 200 μM and had a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.018 μM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.064 μM with outstanding performance. The designed electrode material was then used to modify the laser-induced graphene electrode (LIGE) and employed to evaluate its practical applicability. The findings exhibited efficient detection with commendable recovery rates thus the designed electrode could be a game changer in the portable-smart sensing of propyl gallate.

Rapid Quantification of Antioxidant Capacity in Tea Using Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes

Rapid Quantification of Antioxidant Capacity in Tea Using Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes

Size-dependent electrochemistry of laser-induced graphene electrodes

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes have become popular for electrochemical sensor fabrication due to their simplicity for batch production without the use of reagents. The high surface area and favorable electrocatalytic properties also enable the design of small electrochemical devices while retaining the desired electrochemical performance. In this work, we systematically investigated the effect of LIG working electrode size, from 0.8 mm to 4.0 mm diameter, on their electrochemical properties, since it has been widely assumed that the electrochemistry of LIG electrodes is independent of size above the microelectrode size regime. The background and faradaic current from cyclic voltammetry (CV) of an outer-sphere redox probe [Ru(NH3)6]3+ showed that smaller LIG electrodes had a higher electrode roughness factor and electroactive surface ratio than those of the larger electrodes. Moreover, CV of the surface-sensitive redox probes [Fe(CN)6]3– and dopamine revealed that smaller electrodes exhibited better electrocatalytic properties, with enhanced electron transfer kinetics. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the physical and chemical surface structure were different at the electrode center versus the edges, so the electrochemical properties of the smaller electrodes were improved by having rougher surface, more density of the graphitic edge planes, and more oxide-containing groups. The difference could be explained by the different photothermal reaction time from the laser scribing process that causes different stable carbon morphology to form on the polymer surface. Our results give a new insight on relationships between surface structure and electrochemistry of LIG electrodes and are useful for designing miniaturized electrochemical devices.

Laser-induced graphene decorated with Ni[sbnd]Pt alloy nanoparticles for non-enzymatic electrochemical quantification of glucose

Enzyme-free electrochemical glucose (Glu) sensors, adopting electrochemically active catalysts, are of vital significance to effectively monitoring and analyzing the blood Glu level in diabetes diagnosis. Meanwhile, developing novel electrode substrates have been the hot research pot to meet the demand for constructing flexible sensors. In this work, porous laser-induced graphene (LIG) was prepared through a facile one-step laser-engraving technique on a polyimide thin film, and then used directly as the electrode. Furthermore, NiPt alloyed nanoparticles (NPs) were electrodeposited on the LIG electrode surface to gain the NiPt/LIG composite electrode, which was applied to construct the nonenzymatic electrochemical Glu sensor. The morphology, element and electrochemical performance of NiPt/LIG composite was characterized through various techniques. NiPt alloyed NPs were homogeneously distributed on the LIG scaffolds, which possess plenty of porous structure, high surface area and many active sites. The cooperative effect between the outstanding electrocatalytic capacity of NiPt alloyed NPs, the extraordinary electroconductibility of LIG and the numerous exposed active sites endow the NiPt/LIG sensor outstanding electrocatalytic performance for electrochemical oxidation of Glu. Under the most appropriate conditions, the obtained NiPt/LIG sensor was adopted to detect Glu, showing a broad detection concentration range of 0.5 μM to 2.1 mM and 2.1 mM to 5.6 mM, good sensitivities of 1.824 and 0.467 μA μM−1 cm−2, a low detection limit of 0.03 μM. The as-fabricated nonenzymatic Glu sensor also displays high selectivity, stability considering ageing effects under different environment conditions and prominent reproducibility. Additionally, this novel NiPt/LIG nonenzymatic Glu sensor was applied to quantify Glu successfully in blood serum and food samples and the results were in good agreement with that by UV–vis spectrophotometer, demonstrating high precision and accuracy as well as excellent recovery, showing good application prospects in Glu monitoring. This research confirmed the potential of exploiting NiPt/LIG as a highly sensitive Glu nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor and provided a practicable and suitable approach for construction of novel electrochemical sensors.

Research and development of double layer P-doped laser induced graphene thin film electrode for flexible micro-supercapacitor applications

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has garnered significant attention for its cost-effectiveness and high efficiency in fabricating flexible micro-energy storage devices. In this study, we devised a simple method to fabricate double layer P-doped LIG electrodes through repetitive laser induction technology for high-performance flexible energy storage applications. Instead of utilizing commercial polyimide (PI) thin film, we optimized the formation process of P-doped PI thin film and achieved a highly flexible double layer P-doped LIG thin film electrode with a uniformly porous structure and the high porosity through repeated laser induction processes. Experimental results demonstrated that the developed double layer P-doped LIG thin film electrode exhibits high porosity, high specific areal capacitance of 180 mF cm−2, and high energy density of 0.025 mWh cm−2. Furthermore, an all-solid-state micro-supercapacitor utilizing hydrogel electrolyte was assembled, demonstrating a high areal capacitance of 62 mF cm−2 and excellent cycling stability with 95% capacitance retention after 6000 charging/discharging cycles. Moreover, the developed all-solid-state micro-supercapacitor successfully powered a light-emitting diode, showcasing its significant potential for practical energy storage applications.