Characterization of Benchtop-Fabricated Arrays of Nanowrinkled Surface Electrodes as a Nitric Oxide Electrochemical Sensor

In this work, we present an accessible benchtop fabrication technique to obtain a planar array of gold nanowrinkled surface electrodes (ANSE) for the construction of electrochemical cells, specifically to monitor soluble biomarkers of interest in cell culture environments. We present a complete characterization of the array and its response as an electrochemical cell. To validate our sensor, we evaluated the device sensitivity to detect nitric oxide (NO), an important molecule produced by endothelial cells as a response to environmental signals such as mechanics and growth factors. While testing measurements of nitric oxide in aqueous solutions with isotonic salt concentrations, we evidenced the influence of the environmental conditions for such electrochemical measurements, showing that the aqueous medium, usually not accounted for, significantly impacts the outcome. Finally, we present the application of the electrochemical sensor for the detection of nitric oxide released from stimulated endothelial cells as a proof of concept.

Automated summary

In this work, a benchtop fabrication technique for obtaining a planar array of gold nanowrinkled surface electrodes (ANSE) is presented for the construction of electrochemical cells to monitor soluble biomarkers in cell culture environments. The array is characterized and its response as an electrochemical cell is studied. The sensitivity of the sensor to detect nitric oxide (NO) is evaluated, and the influence of environmental conditions on electrochemical measurements is investigated. The electrochemical sensor is then applied to detect nitric oxide released from stimulated endothelial cells as proof of concept.