Development of electrochemical sensors for hydrogen peroxide determination

Identifier:  TDX:3113

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX3113

Authors:  Borràs Brull, Marta

Abstract:
The main motivation behind this doctoral thesis is the development of novel and low-cost (bio)chemical sensors that can set the basis to design robust, affordable, scalable and user-friendly sensing platforms. The first approach is based on the incorporation of conducting polymers to achieve enhanced analytical performance as well as desirable final device features, such as affordability and simple operation. The second part of the thesis is addressed on the exploration and development of biosensors for non-invasive diagnostics, with the aim of improving the quality of life of potential end-users. The work begins by introducing the importance of the determination of hydrogen peroxide, including some of its several applications in different fields and a brief description of the thesis structure and objectives. It continues by presenting some of the most recent works on hydrogen peroxide detection using conducting polymers. A critical comparison of the analytical performance and some of the future challenges are described. Fruit of these challenges, the first part of the thesis is based on the development of new approaches for such detection in the form of experimental work. The frame of the second part of the thesis points out the development of electrochemical sensors based on enzymes in order to determine hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct of the main oxidase reaction. In addition, some background of scientific foundation, technological methods and principles on which the work stands is also provided.