Plastic Chip Electrodes (PCE):

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Frequently used noble metal and glassy carbon based electrodes are too expensive for off-laboratory applications, mercury electrodes are not safe due to its toxic nature, whereas carbon paste electrodes are not self-standing. Their flabby nature and template dependent morphology make them inconvenient for field-applications. The screen-printed electrodes fit well for the field applications, but suffers a bottle-neck that conducting layers in these electrodes are not the integral part of the electrode base and can get delaminated due to mechanical jerk or high current. Therefore, there was a genuine need for an improved alternative of these electrodes having similar potentials but minimized shortcomings. In this view, a robust, self-standing, bulk conducting and cost-effective, multipurpose electrode (named plastic chip electrode, PCE) have been prepared via a very simple solution casting method using graphite with plasticizing polymer. The electrode has been successfully patented (PCT, US and Indian patent) employed in various electrochemical applications viz. Cyclic Voltammetry, Amperometric Sensing, Electropolymerization, Electrowinning and heavy metal detection by Stripping Voltammetry.

 

• Technological Gap: The conducting layer of current day’s off-laboratory electrodes (Screen printed and coated
  electrodes) is not their integral part, which can get delaminated easily by mechanical jerk, high current and
  aging and hence reducing the shelf-life of the product.

 

• Innovation to fulfil the gap: By designing and developing bulk conducting polymer composite and using it as electrode in electroanalysis.

 

• Major Attributes: Light weight, bulk conducting, moderately stable thermally & mechanically, biodegradable (if prepared using biodegradable polymer).

 

• Economics: No similar product available in the global market to the best of our information. PCE is going to be at least 100 times cheaper compare to the existing products having common applications, mostly due to lower material cost, easy fabrication steps and having extremely high shelf-life.

 

• Techniques where tried: Cyclic Voltammetry, Anodic stripping voltammetry (for detection of heavy metal ion at ppb level), electrowinning (Zn & Cu), electropolymerization (Aniline), Amperometric sensing (Hydrogen Peroxide).

 

• Third party evaluation: The performance was evaluated and endorsed by CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi. 

   

• Status: Ready for demonstration in any of the above technique.

 

• Possible applications: Electrode in glucometer, Electrode in sensors, fuel cell etc. after application specific modifications.

 

• IPR status: PCT, US, IN, GB.

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• Future Development: Compatible and tailored electronics need to be developed for stand-alone product.