Repositori URV

Identifier: TDX:1589

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX1589

Authors:
Novell Recasens, Marta

Abstract:
During the last decades, the world has undergone deep social and technological changes. Remarkably are the emerging trends of decentralised analysis and sensing networks, which are having a deep impact in many areas, especially in the healthcare system. The development of tools for performing measurements out of the lab in a robust, simple and cost-effective way will be of great help to generate, for example, affordable diagnostic tools. To complement this trends, this thesis presents the development of a novel analytical tool for decentralised measurements, by using paper as a substrate modified with carbon nanotubes (CNT), and potentiometry as detection approach. CNTs have been successfully incorporated over a conventional filter paper making it conductive, and giving to it ion-to-electron transduction capability. Over this platform ion-selective electrodes for different ions have been developed –keeping the same analytical performance as conventional electrodes- as well as a reference electrode. The demonstration that this platform can solve an analytical problem has been proved through the development of a complete paper cell for the detection of lithium in blood. This electrodes have been also combined with a radio frequency identification (RFID) potentiometer, which will allows its use in a decentralised way. Other possible application of this platform together with its limitations are also discussed. All in all, this work opens the possibility to substitute conventional sensors for this low-cost paper sensors, thus unlocking a whole new range of possibilities.