Laser Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrode for Pathogenic Escherichia coli Detection

Graphene-based materials are of interest in electro-chemical biosensing due to their unique properties, such as high surface areas, unique electrochemical properties, and biocompatibility. However, the scalable production of graphene electrodes remains a challenge; it is typically slow, expensive, and inefficient. Herein, we reported a simple, fast, and maskless method for large-scale, low-cost reduced graphene oxide electrode fabrication; using direct writing (laser scribing and inkjet printing) coupled with a stamp-transferring method. In this process, graphene oxide is simultaneously reduced and patterned with a laser, before being press-stamped onto polyester sheets. The transferred electrodes were characterized by SEM, XPS, Raman, and electrochemical methods. The biosensing utility of the electrodes was demonstrated by developing an electrochemical test for Escherichia coli. These biosensors exhibited a wide dynamic range (917-2.1 x 107 CFU/mL) of low limits of detection (283 CFU/ mL) using just 5 mu L of sample. The test was also verified in spiked artificial urine, and the sensor was integrated into a portable wireless system driven and measured by a smartphone. This work demonstrates the potential to use these biosensors for real-world, point-of-care applications. Hypothetically, the devices are suitable for the detection of other pathogenic bacteria.

Automated summary

Graphene-based materials have unique properties that make them suitable for electro-chemical biosensing. However, the production of graphene electrodes on a large scale remains challenging. This study presents a simple and fast method for fabricating reduced graphene oxide electrodes using direct writing and stamp-transferring techniques. The biosensors developed using these electrodes demonstrated excellent sensitivity and detection limits for Escherichia coli, making them suitable for real-world applications.