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6CCVD Research

Boron-doped diamond nanosheet volume-enriched screen-printed carbon electrodes - a platform for electroanalytical and impedimetric biosensor applications

At a Glance

Section titled “At a Glance”
MetadataDetails
Publication Date2023-09-22
JournalMicrochimica Acta
AuthorsMateusz Ficek, Mateusz Cieƛlik, Monika Janik, Mateusz Brodowski, MirosƂaw Sawczak
InstitutionsGdaƄsk University of Technology, Polish Academy of Sciences
Citations8
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: BDDPE Biosensors for Pathogen Detection

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: BDDPE Biosensors for Pathogen Detection”

Executive Summary

Section titled “Executive Summary”

This research validates a novel, highly sensitive, and specific electrochemical biosensor platform utilizing Boron-Doped Diamond Nanosheet Volume-Enriched Screen-Printed Carbon Electrodes (BDDPE). The platform, built upon MPCVD diamond technology, offers significant advantages for rapid, point-of-care diagnostics.

  • Ultra-Sensitive Detection: Achieved a Limit of Detection (LOD) of 1 CFU/mL for Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) bacteria using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS).
  • Rapid Diagnostics: The entire detection process, including sample incubation, was completed in under 10 minutes.
  • Enhanced Electrochemical Activity: Incorporation of BDD nanosheets resulted in a greatly improved Electrochemically Active Surface Area (EASA), showing up to a 44% increase compared to unmodified screen-printed electrodes (SPEs).
  • High Specificity and Stability: The sensor demonstrated high specificity towards protein D in Hi bacteria, maintaining an interference tolerance limit of under 12% against common pathogens, and exhibiting stable potential for over 36 hours.
  • Scalable Material Origin: The core BDD material was synthesized using Microwave Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (MWPACVD), a scalable technique central to 6CCVD’s production capabilities.
  • Disposable Platform Potential: The use of screen-printed paste electrodes incorporating BDD foils enables the development of low-cost, disposable diagnostic devices.

Technical Specifications

Section titled “Technical Specifications”

The following hard data points were extracted from the analysis of the BDDPE biosensor performance:

ParameterValueUnitContext
Limit of Detection (LOD)1CFU/mLHaemophilus influenzae (Hi) detection via EIS
Detection Time< 10minTotal time, including 5 min sample incubation
EASA Improvement ([Ru(NH3)6]Cl2)44%Compared to unmodified SPEs
EASA Improvement (K3[Fe(CN)6])10%Compared to unmodified SPEs
BDDPE Working Electrode Geometric Area0.152cm2-
Estimated BDD Foil Thickness110”mUsed in the BDDPE paste formulation
BDD Content in Paste4% wtMixed with DuPont BQ221 carbon paste
Operating Potential (EF)-0.13Vvs BDDPE-RE pseudo-reference electrode
Electrode Stability36hStable potential confirmed during OCP test
Interference Tolerance Limit< 12%Against non-specific pathogens (e.g., S. pyogenes)
CPE Exponent (n) Range0.91 - 0.94-Indicates high surface homogeneity (n=1 is ideal capacitor)

Key Methodologies

Section titled “Key Methodologies”

The fabrication and testing of the BDDPE biosensor involved precise material synthesis and multi-step electrode modification:

  1. BDD Foil Synthesis: Boron-doped diamond foils were synthesized using a Microwave Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (MWPACVD) system.
  2. BDDPE Fabrication (5 Steps):
    • Shredding and grinding the BDD foil (15 min).
    • Carbon paste preparation (DuPont BQ221).
    • Dispersing the BDD film with the paste using a mechanical stirrer (30 min, 4% wt BDD).
    • Forming the BDDPE via semi-automatic screen printing (using a 325 mesh steel screen).
    • Final curing in vacuum at 180 °C for 15 min.
  3. Electrochemical Setup: Measurements were performed in a three-electrode cell configuration, initially using standard Pt and Ag|AgCl electrodes, then transitioning to an all-BDDPE system (WE, CE, RE) for biosensing studies.
  4. Electrode Functionalization: A two-step process was used to anchor anti-protein D antibodies:
    • Electroreduction of diazonium salt onto the BDDPE surface.
    • Immobilization of antibodies using zero-length cross-linkers (EDC/NHS chemistry).
  5. Characterization: Surface morphology was analyzed using SEM, chemical composition via Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical performance via Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS).

6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities

Section titled “6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities”

6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the high-quality MPCVD diamond materials necessary to replicate, scale, and advance this research into commercial diagnostic devices. Our capabilities directly address the material requirements and fabrication challenges outlined in the paper.

Applicable Materials

Section titled “Applicable Materials”

To replicate or extend this high-performance impedimetric biosensor research, 6CCVD recommends the following materials:

  • Heavy Boron-Doped Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD): Required for high conductivity and enhanced charge transfer kinetics (as demonstrated by the EASA improvement). We supply PCD wafers up to 125 mm in diameter, enabling large-scale production of screen-printed or integrated sensor arrays.
  • Custom BDD Powder/Flake: To facilitate the screen-printing methodology, 6CCVD can provide BDD material in custom flake or powder form, optimized for integration into carbon paste inks at precise concentrations (e.g., the 4% wt used in this study).
  • High-Purity Single Crystal Diamond (SCD): For applications requiring the highest possible surface homogeneity and lowest defect density (to minimize non-specific binding), 6CCVD offers SCD material with polishing down to Ra < 1 nm.

Customization Potential

Section titled “Customization Potential”

The paper highlights the need for precise material geometry and integrated electrode systems. 6CCVD offers comprehensive customization services:

Research Requirement6CCVD Customization ServiceValue Proposition
BDD Foil Thickness (110 ”m)Precision Thickness Control: SCD and PCD available from 0.1 ”m up to 500 ”m. Substrates up to 10 mm.Allows researchers to fine-tune the BDD volume fraction and surface exposure for optimal EASA and mechanical stability in composite electrodes.
Integrated Three-Electrode SystemCustom Metalization: In-house capability for depositing Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, and Cu contacts.Enables the fabrication of highly stable, integrated BDD Working, Counter, and Reference Electrodes directly on a single diamond chip, eliminating the variability associated with screen-printed pseudo-reference electrodes.
Custom Electrode GeometryLaser Cutting and Shaping: Precise laser cutting services for custom dimensions and complex geometries required for microfluidic or screen-printed device integration.Supports rapid prototyping and optimization of electrode layouts (e.g., the 0.152 cm2 WE area used in the study) for specific biosensing applications.
Global Supply ChainGlobal Shipping (DDU/DDP): Reliable, fast delivery of custom diamond materials worldwide.Ensures continuity of supply for international research teams and commercial partners scaling up production.

Engineering Support

Section titled “Engineering Support”

The successful development of this rapid, high-specificity impedimetric biosensor for pathogen detection relies heavily on optimizing the diamond material properties (conductivity, surface termination, and morphology).

6CCVD’s in-house team of PhD material scientists specializes in tailoring MPCVD BDD for electrochemical applications. We offer consultation services to assist engineers and scientists with:

  • Material Selection: Choosing the optimal BDD doping level and crystal structure (SCD vs. PCD) to maximize charge transfer kinetics for specific redox probes.
  • Surface Functionalization Protocols: Advising on pre-treatment and termination methods to enhance the density and stability of antibody anchoring (e.g., improving the diazonium salt electrografting process).
  • Scale-Up Strategy: Transitioning from laboratory-scale BDD foil synthesis to high-volume, cost-effective PCD wafer production for commercial disposable sensors.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Abstract This paper focuses on the development of a novel electrode based on boron-doped diamond nanosheet full-volume-enriched screen-printed carbon electrodes (BDDPE) for use as an impedimetric biosensor. Impedimetric biosensors offer high sensitivity and selectivity for virus detection, but their use as point-of-care devices is limited by the complexity of nanomaterials’ architecture and the receptor immobilisation procedures. The study presents a two-step modification process involving the electroreduction of diazonium salt at the BDDPE and the immobilisation of antibodies using zero-length cross-linkers for a selective impedimetric biosensor of Haemophilus influenzae (Hi). The incorporation of diamond nanosheets into BDDPE leads to enhanced charge transfer and electrochemical behaviour, demonstrating greatly improved electrochemically active surface area compared with unmodified screen-printed electrodes (by 44% and 10% on average for [Ru(NH 3 ) 6 ]Cl 2 and K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ], respectively). The presented sensing system shows high specificity towards protein D in Hi bacteria, as confirmed by negative controls against potential interference from other pathogens, with an estimated tolerance limit for interference under 12%. The Hi limit of detection by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was 1 CFU/mL (measured at − 0.13 V vs BDDPE pseudo-reference), which was achieved in under 10 min, including 5 min sample incubation in the presence of the analyte. Graphical abstract

Tech Support

Section titled “Tech Support”

Original Source

Section titled “Original Source”

References

Section titled “References”
  1. 2004 - Semiconductors and semimetals

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