Towards understanding a distinct hydrogen peroxideelectrocatalytic enhancement using surfactant-based coatings on silver

The detection of hydrogen peroxide has been shown to be very important in recent years due to its relevant role in many industrial applications as well as biological reactions. We are interested in it as a quantitative marker for oxidase-based biosensor applications where it is produced when substrate (e.g., glucose, cholesterol) is catalysed by its respective oxidase enzyme. Previously, a commercial silver flake-based screen-printing ink (PF-410, Acheson®), when coated with surfactant and salt (dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) and KCl) has shown to significantly enhance the electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide - up to 80-fold over non-treated inks. In this study, the silver morphology, presence of dispersant and silver supplier is investigated for their effects on the electrocatalysis of hydrogen peroxide. In order to do this, inks loaded with silver micron-sized flakes and silver nanopowders, from various suppliers, are prepared using the binder material extracted from the Acheson® PF-410 to formulate inks.