Thin-film Interdigitated

Array Microelectrodes
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Thin-film Interdigitated
Array Microelectrodes

Metal-based microelectrodes are fabricated by thin-film technologies on a Glass substrate. Interdigitated array
(IDA) electrodes take advantages of the microelectrodes features enhancing the sensitivity and detection limits.

» Thin-film based-electrode features

Thin-film technologies enable the fabrication of microelectrodes (<25 µm) with high resolution and precision.

» Standard dimensions: 10 x 6 x 0.75 mm

AE
RE
» Substrate: Glass
WE1 WE2
» Protective layer: SU8/PI resin
Insulating
layer » Electrochemical cell: 2 mm Ø
RE pad » Sample volume: 1 – 5 µL
AE pad

WE1 pad » Electrode material: Platinum or Gold

WE2 pad

» Thin-film electrode packs

Thin-film IDA electrodes are supplied in 50 units packs. They should be stored at room temperature in a dry place.

» Applications

Thin-film microelectrodes are a useful tool for enhancing the analytical parameters in multiple applications taking
advantages of their inherent properties such as low cost & disposables, reusable, high fabrication resolution, high
sensitivity, low reagent consumption as well as non-tedious pre-cleaning procedures.

Electroanalysis Flow Systems & microfluidics Nanotechnology Biosensors

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Thin-film Interdigitated
Array Microelectrodes

» Electrochemical cell
Platinum & Gold thin-film interdigitated array (IDA) electrodes are based on a four-electrodes (working – WE1/WE2,
reference – RE and auxiliary – AE) system. The working electrode consists of two individually addressable arrays of
microelectrodes with an interdigitated approach.

250 µm

AE

RE

250 µm

WE1 WE2

» IDA1 working electrode

Reference Material µElectrode width µElectrode gap Number of feet Thickness
» ED-IDA1-Pt Ti/Pt 10 µm 10 µm 15 pairs 50/150 nm
» ED-IDA1-Au Ti/Au 10 µm 10 µm 15 pairs 50/150 nm

» AFM image

Microelectrodes profile from AFM image

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Thin-film Interdigitated
Array Microelectrodes

» Thin-film microelectrodes performance

Thin-film IDA electrodes could be used in single-mode (only one WE, generator, is connected) or dual-mode (both
WEs , generator and collector, are connected) in order to carry out redox cycling.

Red
Red
Ox Red Red: Reduced molecule
Ox Ox
Ox Ox: Oxidized molecule
Ox

Redox cycling performed at

IDA microelectrodes

Generator (WE1)
WE1 WE2 Collector (WE2)

Cyclic voltammograms for 1 mM K4Fe(CN)6

using single- and dual-mode at a Platinum
IDA electrode.

Conditions: BGE: 0.1 M KCl.

Generator (WE1) potential cycled from
-0.3 to 0.5 V at 50 mV/s.
Collector (WE2) potential held constant at
-0.3 V (dual-mode).

Redox Cycling (Rc): 2.5 ± 0.5

Collection Efficiency: (70 ± 5)%

Dual-mode enables the microelectrode behavior, reaching the steady-state in a short time and enhancing the
analytical signals.

Cyclic voltammograms for 1 mM ferrocene

methylalcohol using single- and dual-mode at
a Gold IDA electrode.

Conditions: BGE: 0.1 M H2SO4.

Generator (WE1) potential cycled from
-0.3 to 0.5 V at 50 mV/s.
Collector (WE2) potential held constant at
-0.3 V (dual-mode).

Redox Cycling (Rc): 2.0 ± 0.5

Collection Efficiency: (65 ± 5)%

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Thin-film Interdigitated
Array Microelectrodes

» Thin-film vs. Thick-film electrodes

Thin-film electrodes (IDA & SE) can be compared with thick-film (screen-printed) electrodes fabricated with a
minimal feature of 200 µm.

Cyclic voltammograms for 1 mM

K4Fe(CN)6 in 0.1 M KCl at thin-film (IDA
& SE) and thick-film (screen-printed)
electrodes. v = 50 mV/s.

» Screen-printed electrode:
Thin-film electrodes can improve the performance of disposable
- WE: Platinum ink (200 µm)
screen-printed electrodes keeping a low-cost.
- RE: Platinum ink (200 µm)
- AE: Silver ink (200 µm)
» Thin-film IDA electrode:
- WE: Platinum metal (15x10 µm)
- RE: Platinum metal
- AE: Platinum metal
» Thin-film SE electrode:
- WE: Platinum metal (1 mm Ø)
- RE: Platinum metal
- AE: Platinum metal

Thin-film technologies provide a resolution (<10 µm) higher than

thick–film technologies (>100 µm). Moreover, thin-film
technologies enables the use of a metal (non-inks) surface as
classical solid electrodes, but with a low-cost and without tedious
pre-treatments.

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