Carbon-based electrodes with graphene modification

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present application describe a carbon-based electrode with graphene platelets. The addition of graphene platelets is intended to improve properties of the electrode. These properties include, but are not limited to, physical, electrical, and biochemical properties of the electrode. Enhanced reproducibility of these properties can also result from the addition of the graphene platelets.

1 . A first plurality of sensor electrodes, each comprising: a carbon-based layer; and a layer of graphene platelets, wherein the layer of graphene platelets modifies surface properties of the carbon-based layer such that the first plurality of sensor electrodes has a narrower distribution of electrochemical properties than does a second plurality of sensor electrodes comprising the carbon-based layer but not the layer of graphene platelets. 
     
     
         2 . The first plurality of sensor electrodes of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of sensor electrodes is electrochemically activated such that the first plurality of sensor electrodes has a narrower distribution of biochemical properties than does a third plurality of sensor electrodes comprising the carbon-based layer and the layer of graphene platelets but that has not been electrochemically activated. 
     
     
         3 . The first plurality of sensor electrodes of  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of sensor electrodes is electrochemically activated through voltammetric cycling until a pre-defined value of electrochemical capacitance is met. 
     
     
         4 . The first plurality of sensor electrodes of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of sensor electrodes is characterized by at least one of lower nonspecific binding of biomolecules, increased signal-to-noise ratio, lower detection limits and higher electrochemical activity as compared to the second plurality of sensor electrodes.