Projects / Programmes
Development of Advanced Electrochemical Micro- and Nano-Sensors for Environmental and Biomedical Measurements
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P300 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Analytical chemistry |
microanalysis, micro-electrodes, nano-electrodes, electrode preparation, electrode modification, voltammetry, amperometry, electrochemical sensors
Researchers (2)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
18555 |
PhD Samo Hočevar |
Chemistry |
Researcher |
2004 - 2006 |
0 |
| 2. |
02285 |
PhD Božidar Ogorevc |
Chemistry |
Head |
2004 - 2006 |
0 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0104 |
National Institute of Chemistry |
Ljubljana |
5051592000 |
10 |
Abstract
Micro- and nano-electrodes in conjunction with advanced electrochemical techniques provide new possibilities for detection in microvolumes, at microlocations and for miniaturization of measuring devices for use in biomedical, environmental and industrial measurements. Due to their small dimensions, micro- and nano-electrodes exhibit some unique physical and electrochemical properties. In addition, electrode surfaces composed of different materials offer numerous possibilities for a variety of surface modifications, hence providing enhanced sensitivity and selectivity (e.g. molecular recognition). Namely, in recent times, the tailoring and development of electrochemical micro- and nano-(bio)sensors for measurement of biologically and physiologically important species, and sensors for environmental measurements of trace heavy metals and some organic species, have become increasingly important.
The proposed research work can be divided into three main sections. The first will be devoted to the development of new kinds of micro- and nano-electrodes and to new strategies in their fabrication. Within this first section, a carbon paste micro-electrode will be fabricated, where the primary problems are the size of the carbon particles, the selection of appropriate binder and also the fabrication and selection of the electrode housing material. In addition, the work will be focused on a search for new materials and strategies which will be appropriate for fabrication of micro- and nano-electrodes. The work will also be directed towards examining new protocols and materials for insulation of the non-active part of the electrode surface. The second section will be dedicated to modification of electrode surfaces for preparation of sensitive and selective micro-sensors. Initially, we will characterize and optimize the bismuth film electrode for detection of trace heavy metals, after which we will develop an integrated soil-micro-sensor (SMS) for in situ determination of trace heavy metals in soils and sediments. Following this, the investigation will be focused on the study of modifications of the electrode surface with an aim to developing or improving micro-sensors for the determination of some biologically and physiologically important compounds e.g. dopamine, ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide, glucose, for pH measurements, etc. The third section of the proposed project will be aimed at studying the application of the aforementioned sensors in some selected topical areas, also in the frame of collaborations with other groups, e.g. measuring of dopamine and/or ascorbic acid in the brain of live rats (in vivo measurements) and in aqueous humor, measuring of pH and redox processes at microlocations and in microvolumes, and detection of trace heavy metals in environmental samples (soils and sediments).
