3D printing is the most popular form of additive manufacturing, and conductive 3D-printed platforms have been recognized as an emerging class of devices with high potential for electrochemistry. 3D-printed carbon-based electrodes have been applied for bioanalytical applications, including biological fluid analysis, such as urine and/ or saliva. The analysis of biomarkers in these samples can provide vital information for clinical diagnosis and help decision-making concerning the best course treatments. Hence, for the first time, we developed an electrochemical method for simultaneous quantification of Zn2+ and uric acid (UA) in sweat using an electrochemically treated 3D-printed working electrode. Sweat analysis can provide important information about metabolites that are valuable indicators of biological processes. Improved performance of the 3D-printed electrode was achieved after electrochemical treatment of its surface in an alkaline medium. This treatment promotes the PLA removal (insulating layer) and exposes Carbon Black (CB) conductive sites. The pH and the square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry technique were carefully adjusted to optimize the method. The peaks for Zn2+ and UA were well-defined around -1.1 V and +0.45 V (vs. CB/PLA pseudo-reference), respectively, in the treated surface under optimized conditions. An analytical curve showed a linear range of 1 to 70 µg L-1 and 1 to 70 µmol L-1 for UA and Zn2+, respectively. Relative standard deviation values were estimated as 4.8% (n=10, 30 µg L-1) and 6.1% (n=10, 30 µmol L-1) for Zn2+ and UA, respectively. The detection limits for Zn2+ and UA were estimated as 0.10 µg L-1 and 0.28 µmol L-1, respectively. Both species were analyzed simultaneously in real sweat samples, and the achieved recovery percentages were between 95% and 106% for Zn2+ and 82% and 108% for UA.

Simultaneous detection of uric acid and zinc in swear using an electrochemically-treated 3D-printed carbon black-integrated polylactic acid sensor

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ACS Fall 2022

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