We demonstrate that commercially available plasters (band aids), usually used for wound healing, can be electrolytically modified with a range of electro-catalytic metals for analytical sensing purposes. These 'Plaster-trodes' consist of a mesh type surface which have star-shaped type microelectrodes of ∼150 micron radius in a hexagonal pattern which are separated from its nearest neighbours by ∼1250 microns with interlinking connections between each microelectrode which are generally electrochemically active resulting in micro-band-type connections. Proof-of-concept is shown where the Plaster-trode is electrolytically modified with palladium for the sensing of hydrazine and nickel for the direct oxidation of ethanol. Given the low cost of the Plaster-trode which can be readily modified with electro-catalytic metals, we expect this new electrode to be widely utilised in electro-analysis.
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011