Stripping voltammetry at micro-interface arrays: a review

Abstract

In this article, a comprehensive overview of the most recent developments in the field of stripping voltammetry at regular micro-interfaces (both solid-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces) is presented. This review will report on the most conventional arrays of metallic micro-electrodes but also on the rapidly growing field of electrochemistry at arrays of micro-interfaces between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (μITIES). The main fabrication methods, together with some design considerations and diffusion phenomena at such interfaces are discussed. Main applications of micro-interface arrays are presented including heavy metals detection at micro-electrode arrays and detection of organic molecules (amino acids, vitamins, peptides and drugs) at the μITIES. Stripping analysis at micro-interface arrays is suitable for the detection of analytes in several real media including water, soil extracts and biological fluids (blood and saliva) with high specificity, sensitivity (detection limits of nM, ppb level) and reliability. Stripping analysis at μITIES and micro-electrode arrays are two complementary approaches that have the advantages of being cost effective, simple to use and easily adaptable to field measurement.