Cold Plasma Modified Electrochemical Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrochemical sensors face challenges in selectively detecting dopamine, glucose, uric acid, and ascorbic acid due to overlapping oxidation peaks and low sensitivity, particularly in physiological conditions, requiring complex production processes and functionalization steps.

Innovation Solution

A carbon-rich substrate coated with an organic polymer and treated with cold plasma, specifically atmospheric, vacuum, or corona energy plasma, enhances the selectivity and sensitivity of electrochemical sensors by modifying the surface properties, allowing for effective detection of these substances without the need for extensive functionalization or nano-object incorporation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional electrochemical methods are used for dopamine detection, then the detection process is quick and low cost, but selectivity for other species (ascorbic acid and uric acid) is poor due to overlapping oxidation potentials

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveselectivityVSAvoidcomplexity of production process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface properties of the carbon electrode by applying cold plasma treatment, which modifies the oxidation potential of dopamine and separates it from ascorbic acid and uric acid. This parameter change in the electrode surface characteristics enables selective detection without complex production processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex chemical functionalization processes with a physical plasma treatment method. Instead of using sophisticated nanocomposites, graphene functionalization, or multi-step synthesis, a simple cold plasma application achieves the desired selectivity improvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If nanocomposites, graphene, or conductive polymers are used to improve detection sensitivity, then sensitivity increases, but the number of production steps increases due to functionalization and nano-object incorporation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidnumber of production steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex nanocomposite materials, graphene functionalization, and multi-step synthesis processes. By using cold plasma treatment on simple carbon electrodes, it achieves comparable or superior sensitivity with dramatically reduced production complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simple, inexpensive carbon-rich substrates (glassy carbon, graphite) that can be quickly treated with cold plasma to create functional sensing surfaces, replacing expensive and complex nanomaterial-based sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If cold plasma treatment is applied to coated carbon-rich substrates, then selectivity and sensitivity are improved with fewer production steps, but additional plasma treatment equipment and process time are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of production processVSAvoidplasma treatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies cold plasma treatment for relatively short durations (seconds to minutes), which is sufficient to achieve the desired surface modification and sensing performance, avoiding excessive treatment time while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method improves the resolution and sensitivity of dopamine and glucose detection, achieving detection limits comparable to sophisticated sensors with fewer production steps, and demonstrates stability across multiple detection cycles, making it a cost-effective and simple approach for diagnostic applications.

Implementation Method 1

applying a cold plasma treatment to said coating. The plasma preferably is an atmospheric plasma, a vacuum plasma, or a corona energy plasma

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma treatment: Plasma

Data Source

PatentUS11067528B2Electro-chemical sensor and coating method, production method and corresponding uses

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 UNIV POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA

AI summary

The invention relates to an electro-chemical sensor and coating method, production method and corresponding uses. The coating method of an electro-chemical sensor comprises the following steps: coating a carbon-rich substrate, with a carbon content greater than or equal to 0 wt. % in relation to the total weight of the substrate, and with an organic polymer; and applying a cold plasma treatment to said coating. This method permits the production of electro-chemical sensors with a carbon-rich substrate, with a carbon content greater or equal to 50 wt. % in relation to the total weight of the substrate, and a modified organic polymer coating. These new sensors are suitable for the detection of, inter alia, dopamine, glucose, uric acid and ascorbic acid.