Neuropeptides and neurotransmitters are molecules that nerve cells use to communicate with each other. Studies have shown that altered levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentrations correlate with different conditions and diseases like Parkinson's disease and other conditions like anxiety, depression, and heart attacks. This research aims to develop flexible silver inkjet electrodes to detect NPY in human sweat. Other objectives are the characterization of the electrodes and surface modification for the detection of NPY. To fabricate these inkjet electrodes, the design is first created in AutoCAD and then printed with an inkjet printer using silver conductive ink. Thermal processes are applied to avoid the removal of ink on the substrate. The electrochemical characterization of these electrodes is carried out through cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Since sweat is a very complex fluid, it is necessary to modify the working electrode's surface to give the electrode's selectivity towards the molecule to be analyzed or detected. To achieve the detection of NPY, we first add carboxyl groups to the surface of the working electrode, which will serve as an anchor for the specific aptamer for NPY. We use different buffer solutions like artificial cerebrospinal fluid, phosphate buffer solutions, and artificial sweat. We decreased the oxidation of the surface of our electrodes by changing the buffer and modify the surface for greater selectivity towards NPY. In conclusion, these electrodes can be an innovation in monitoring diseases non-invasive and, therefore, painless.

Developing flexible silver inkjet electrodes for the detection of neuropeptide Y in sweat

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.