title: Press-Printed Conductive Carbon Black Nanoparticle Films for Molecular Detection at the Microscale.
abstract: Carbon black nanoparticle (CBNP) press-transferred film-based transducers for the molecular detection at the microscale level were proposed for the first time. Current-sensing atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM) revealed that the CBNP films were effectively press-transferred, retaining their good conductivity. A significant correlation between the morphology and the resistance was observed. The highest resistance was localized at the top of the press-transferred film protrusions, whereas low values are usually obtained at the deep crevices or grooves. The amount of press-transferred CBNPs is the key parameter to obtain films with improved conductivity, which is in good agreement with the electrochemical response. In addition, the conductivity of such optimum films was not only Ohmic; in fact, tunneling/hopping contributions were observed, as assessed by CS-AFM. The CBNP films acted as exclusive electrochemical transducers as evidenced by using two classes of molecules, that is, neurotransmitters and environmental organic contaminants. These results revealed the potential of these CBNP press-transferred films for providing new options in microfluidics and other related micro- and nanochemistry applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Biology, Environmental Sciences and Chemistry, University of Alcalá, E-28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain), Fax: (+34) 918854971.|Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Teramo, Italy), Fax:(+39) 0861-266942.
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Della Pelle
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (CSIC), C/Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz No 3, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vázquez
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Teramo, Italy), Fax:(+39) 0861-266942.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Carlo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Teramo, Italy), Fax:(+39) 0861-266942.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sergi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64023, Teramo, Italy), Fax:(+39) 0861-266942. dcompagnone@unite.it.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Compagnone
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Biology, Environmental Sciences and Chemistry, University of Alcalá, E-28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain), Fax: (+34) 918854971. alberto.escarpa@uah.es.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escarpa
keywords: carbon nanoparticles; conducting materials; electrochemistry; nanotechnology; signal transduction