CuAg electrode for creatinine microfluidic fuel cell based self-powered electrochemical sensor.

Abstract

Fuel cell-based self-powered electrochemical sensors have attracted considerable attention because contrary to conventional electrochemical sensors, they do not need external power supplies and complex devices due to they operate through the use of electrical output as sensing signal provided by redox reactions in fuel cells. Creatinine has been considered as an indicator of renal function specifically after dialysis, thyroid malfunction and muscle damage. The development of a suitable catalytic material for creatinine sensing able to generate electrical energy from its oxidation is still a challenge. Creatinine can form complexes with different transition metals due to the number of binding sites that coordinate with the metal donor groups such as copper. However, Cu suffers fast oxidation under environmental conditions and thus, the development of Cu alloys is needed. In this work, we developed an electrode with a catalytic ink containing a CuAg bimetallic material as an electrocatalyst for creatinine oxidation. The electrode was evaluated in a fuel cell and creatinine sensing.