Strategies for developing NADH detectors based on Meldola Blue and screen-printed electrodes: a comparative study

Three strategies have been compared to produce screen-printed amperometric detectors for NADH: mixing Meldola Blue (MB) in the screen-printing ink, incorporation of MB–Reinecke salt (MBRS) in the graphite ink and electrodeposition of films of MB-derived polymer (poly (MB)) on electrode surface. Following modification of graphite electrodes the mediators displayed values of the formal potential E°′ from −0.129 to −0.160 V vs. Ag/AgCl and pKas of 5.09–6.02. A second redox couple with E°′=−0.450 V vs. Ag/AgCl was observed in cyclic voltammetry experiments with poly (MB) sensors or with old electrodes obtained according to the other two strategies. Electropolymerisation of MB allowed to achieve the best operational stability and best detection limit, 2×10−6 M, for amperometric detection of NADH, while the most extended linear range, 1×10−5–7.5×10−4 M, corresponds to sensors with MBRS. MB and MBRS electrodes were compared with a similar NADH detector produced by Gwent Electronic Materials, England. Several characteristics of the modified-electrodes induced by the fabrication by screen-printing were also highlighted.