We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Electrochemical and physicochemical degradability evaluation of printed flexible carbon electrodes in seawater
Summary
Researchers developed a biodegradable, graphite-based electrode printed on a plant-derived plastic that can monitor water quality and dissolves quickly in seawater after use, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional sensor materials that leave behind non-degradable plastic and metal pollution.
The environmental impact of metals and non-degradable plastics in printed electrodes has highlighted the need of employing sustainable materials in environmental monitoring. In this work, we developed a new sustainable graphite-based paste (G-PE) printed on a bioderived and biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate polyhydroxyvalerate substrate for tap water and seawater monitoring. We compared its performance against two standard screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) fabricated using commercial silver and carbon pastes (Ag-SPEs and C-SPEs) printed on a polyvinyl chloride substrate. The Ag-SPEs exhibited the lowest sheet resistance (RS = 0.053 Ω/sq), however they were also less reliable as silver oxidised and reacted with ions present in seawater. Meanwhile, the C-SPEs and G-PE presented similar RS (26.9 and 30.1 Ω/sq, respectively), were inert in different media and showed relatively stable response during cyclic bending studies (less than 2.3% relative resistance variation for the C-SPE). Physical and chemical degradation studies of the sustainable G-PE in seawater demonstrated relatively quick ultrasound induced dissolution (less than5 min) while the SPEs did not dissolve even after 30 min of sonication, highlighting the suitability of this new, eco-friendly G-PE for single use or short-term water quality monitoring applications.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Cellulose nanofiber-based electrode as a component of an enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cell
Researchers developed a flexible, biodegradable biofuel cell using cellulose nanofiber electrodes as a plastic-free alternative for wearable sensors. The device performed comparably to plastic-based equivalents and is readily disposable like paper, offering a path toward reducing microplastic contamination from disposable electronic devices.
Shellac-paper composite as a green substrate for printed electronics
Researchers developed a shellac-paper composite substrate as a biodegradable alternative to plastic films for printed electronics, demonstrating comparable electrical performance while avoiding the microplastic pollution generated by conventional polyethylene terephthalate substrates.
Environmental footprint of voltammetric sensors based on screen-printed electrodes: An assessment towards “green” sensor manufacturing
Researchers conducted a life cycle assessment of screen-printed electrodes used in environmental sensors, comparing different substrate and electrode materials. They found that replacing noble metal electrodes with carbon-based materials significantly reduced environmental impact, and that ceramic, glass, or paper substrates were preferable to plastic to avoid microplastic release. The study highlights that even sustainability-focused sensor technologies should consider their own environmental footprint, including microplastic generation.
Highly selective electrochemical impedance spectroscopy-based graphene electrode for rapid detection of microplastics
A graphene electrode derived from petroleum waste was developed and applied as an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy sensor for highly selective detection of microplastics in aquatic samples. The approach offers a sensitive and selective alternative to optical methods for environmental microplastic monitoring.
Rapid electrochemical detection of polystyrene microplastics in aquatic environments using a gadolinium-alginate hydrogel-modified electrode
Researchers developed a rapid electrochemical sensor for detecting polystyrene microplastics in water using a glassy carbon electrode modified with gadolinium-alginate hydrogel beads. The sensor enabled quick and reliable detection of trace-level microplastic contamination in aquatic environments, offering a portable and practical alternative to conventional laboratory-based identification methods.