Session: Advances in Electrochemistry:

Conventional accredited measurement methods of phosphorus can provide accurate information but for a limited number of samples due to cost, time, and labor involved with laboratory analysis. Precise cyclic voltammetry (CV) electrochemical sensing is a powerful technique used to investigate the redox reactions of specific analytes and has the potential to provide accurate measurements for soil and wastewater phosphorus environmental tests using carbon screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). SPEs are recognized as disposable, single-use, and inexpensive sensors to measure various analytes. However, high demand for SPEs in laboratories creates questions about their economical feasibility and disposal after a single-use, while it has been found that polishing the surfaces of SPEs shows potential for reuse. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of polishing SPEs using office paper on their reproducibility, repeatability, and amperometric response for phosphate electrochemical sensing. The effect was determined by scanning CV cycles on SPEs in phosphate analytes, mixed with molybdate ions under acidic conditions, before and after paper polishing. The sensitivity, limit of detection, and reproducibility of the electrochemical phosphate test were significantly improved by polishing the SPEs with office paper. For example, the paper polished SPEs increased the phosphate sensitivity response by 63.6 % and showed reuse efficacy up to successive 20 cyclic voltammetry cycles. Compared to carbon pretreatment methods that use chemicals in SPE mechanical polishing, the proposed paper polishing method is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and shows great promise towards more sustainable phosphate tests.

Asim Biswas

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