Nano- and/or micro-structured printed electrodes

Abstract

The present invention relates to new electrochemical probes for the measurement of an analyte selected from the group consisting of: free chlorine, chlorine dioxide, total chlorine and peracetic acid, wherein said probe includes at least a nano- or micro-structured printed electrode with a nano- or micromaterial selected from the group consisting of: nano- or microparticles of carbon black and/or nano- or microparticles of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, copper and combinations or alloys thereof.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An electrochemical sensor, for the measure in fluids of an analyte selected from the group consisting of: chlorine dioxide, free chlorine, total chlorine and peracetic acid; said electrochemical sensor comprising
 at least a printed electrodes group;   wherein said printed electrodes group is nano and/or micro-structured using nano- and/or microparticles selected from the group comprising carbon black and/or a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, copper and combinations or alloys thereof; and wherein   said printed electrodes group comprises at least a working electrode, at least a reference electrode, and at least an auxiliary electrode;   characterized in that said “printed electrodes group” comprises at least one hole ( 21 ) that allow the gel contained in the reservoir ( 12 ) to pass through.   
     
     
         15 . The electrochemical sensor of  claim 14 , in which different electrode is located in different side of the printed electrode. 
     
     
         16 . An electrochemical probe comprising one or more electrochemical sensors of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         17 . Method for preparing the “printed electrodes group” of  claim 14 , wherein said printed electrode group comprises at least a working electrode, at least a reference electrode, and at least an auxiliary electrode;
 wherein:
 the working electrode is prepared and activated during the process of printing, using an ink containing nano- or microparticles of carbon black and/or nano- or microparticles of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, copper and combinations or alloys thereof having an average diameter of from 20 to 0.05 μm; 
 the auxiliary electrode is prepared and activated, during the process of printing, using an ink containing a carbon based material; 
 and the reference electrode is prepared and activated, during the process of printing, using an ink containing metal microparticles selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, copper and combinations or alloys thereof, having an average diameter of from 20 to 0.05 μm. 
 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , in which the working electrode of the “printed electrodes group”, at the end of the printing process is functionalised by “drop-casting” by using nanomaterials selected from the group consisting of carbon black and/or metallic nanomaterials selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, copper and combinations or alloys thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , in which the deposition is made in consecutive applications of 2 μl each. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , in which the metal is gold in microparticles having an average diameter of 1 μm. 
     
     
         21 . A kit comprising at least an electrochemical probe of  claim 16 , and further comprising:
 at least a probe holder;   at least a capsule;   at least an electrolytic solution or gel;   at least an hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic membrane; and   at least an electronic control, implementation and/or data transfer.   
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 21 , for the measure of one or more analyte of  claim 14 , in water for industrial or civil use. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 21 , for the measure of one or more analyte of  claim 14 , during a synthetic industrial process. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 21 , for the measure in continuous of one or more analyte selected from the group consisting of: chlorine dioxide, free chlorine, total chlorine and peracetic acid.