| SPECTROELECTROCHEMICAL INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES |
| I have my own optical cell, is it compatible with SPELEC instruments? |
| You can use your own optical cells for performing your own analysis, taking into account fibers connections. Ask for information at [email protected]. |
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Which are the operational possibilities of SPELEC RAMAN instrument?
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It is suitable for performing spectroelectrochemistry measurements but you can use also just the potentiostat/galvanostat or just the RAMAN mode. You can take the most of it combining both techniques for OPERANDO measurements. The advance data acquisition and data treatment is really convenient for a correct and easy interpretation of the data obtained.
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Which kind of applications are related to RAMAN Spectroelectrochemistry?
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| From analytical purposes as well as for battery, corrosion, capacitors testing. There is a wide range of interesting applications when you combine electrochemical and RAMAN analysis. |
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As the Raman scattering is inherently low and not useful for low-concentrated samples, the SERS technique is being widely employed for different applications. This technique is based on the enhancement of Raman signals by the interaction between molecules and metallic surfaces. Metal screen-printed electrodes are promising SERS substrates because they are available in different materials such as gold, silver, or metal nanoparticles... They are readily available, cost-effective, disposable, and only need a low sample volume. You can test different SPEs for SERS analysis with ref. SERSMIX.
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Which is the distance between the probe and electrode surface?
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The RAMANCELL is provide with different spacers to change the distance between the probe and the electrode surface, for an easy improvement of the Raman signal.
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| The detector is designed and programmed for 785 nm laser wavelength. |
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How is the triggering programmed?
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You do not need to program by yourself as the spectra are recorded through all the electrochemical measurement. It is done automatically by the software, and takes into account the integration time of the optical measurement. You get successive RAMAN spectra through the hole electrochemical curve. |
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How should I clean the RAMANPROBE window?
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Gently with a soft paper and ethanol. |
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May I use my own RAMANPROBE and electrochemical cell?
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It is possible to combine the RAMANPROBE with your own electrochemical cell, just check the RAMANPROBE dimensions by sending an email to [email protected]. |
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| There is an option for smoothing the spectra, how it works? |
| You can have a cleanest signal with the option of easily applying a Savitzky- Golay smoothing. |
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Which is included in SPELECRAMAN?
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SPELEC RAMAN instrument, RAMAN PROBE and a connector for any kind of spectroelectrochemical cell.
The scope of delivery of "SPELEC" includes: SPELEC hardware, DropView SPELEC Software, USB cable, AC adapter and one cable form SPELEC to conventional electrodes.
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Which is included in SPELEC or SPELEC1050 references?
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The scope of delivery of "SPELEC" includes: SPELEC hardware, DropView SPELEC Software, USB cable, AC adapter and one cable form SPELEC to conventional electrodes.
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Which is included in SPELECNIR reference?
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The scope of delivery of "SPELECNIR" includes: SPELECNIR hardware, DropView SPELEC Software, USB cable, AC adapter and one cable form SPELEC to conventional electrodes.
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| PORTABLE POTENTIOSTATS & GALVANOSTATS |
I have seen in the software the option "Peripheral Configuration", what does it mean?
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The Digital and Analog Inputs/Outputs are configured with this menu; the displayed window allows you to enable or not the desired Programmable I/O (PIO) pins.
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| I would like to perform battery Charge/Discharge experiments, is it possible with DropView 8400? |
Yes, it is very easy with "Manual Control Script”, which makes a current Charge/Discharge potential profile with cutoff values. DropView 8400 software has "Manual Control Script" option with different available commands, for this and other applications.
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| Do Metrohm DropSens instruments have floating mode option? |
The floating mode is achieved by connecting the instrument by Wireless Connection® to the computer; therefore all the instruments that have Wireless Connection option are suitable to work under this condition.
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Which is the maximum number of points per experiment that can be saved in DropView software?
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Can µStat 400 be connected to a chromatography instrument?
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Yes, through its external inputs/outputs making very easy the electrochemical detection in a chromatographic system.
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| Is DropView software compatible with all kind of tablets? |
| Only tablets with Windows operative system can run DropView Software. |
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How can I access to the user manual of my instrument?
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User manual is copied in your computer during software installation. It can be found in the same folder where you have installed Metrohm DropSens software. If you are not able to find it, please ask the customer service and they will kindly guide you.
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| How can I calculate the Polarization Resistance with DropView 8400? |
The software calculates it directly after clicking on corrosion analysis tool and using the fit option – using tafel slope in the analysis tool.
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In which equation is based the Fit analysis tool in DropView 8400?
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It is based on Butler-Volmer equation.
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| Can I perform corrosion measurements with Metrohm DropSens instruments? |
DropView 8400 allows to perform corrosion analysis through the data obtained by LSV, OCP and CV. Tafel and fitting analysis can be easily performed and LPR technique is also available.
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| What type of information can I see in the LCD screen of the DRP-DROPSTAT? |
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| I am interested in a DROPSTAT, which information is needed for its programming? |
| We will provide you with a questionnaire ([email protected]) that should be fulfil to program the instrument and programming cards. |
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| Can I use Metrohm DropSens equipments with conventional electrodes? |
| Of course! In fact all Metrohm DropSens equipments include in their set a cable connector from the equipment to conventional electrodes via banana and crocodile clips. |
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| What is included with Metrohm DropSens equipments? |
| All instruments are supplied with their related Software, as well as with a convenient carrying case and the necessary accessories to work with conventional electrodes and with Screen-Printed Electrodes (SPEs). |
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| How can I install the instruments? |
| The setup wizard included in any Metrohm DropSens software will guide you through the installation process. All our Softwares are Windows based compatible with current operating systems and very intuitive. It is really easy! |
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| Is there a tutorial for working with DropView softwares? |
| DropView softwares are very user friendly and have very intuitive interfaces; each software includes a manual of use. Still, we will be pleased to help you and arrange a webmeeting to show you the software performance. |
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| Can I update my DropView Sofware? How much does it cost? |
| Users of DropSens' instruments are entitled to receive software updates free of charge, for an unlimited period of time. |
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| Why is the Wireless Connection® useful? |
| Wireless Connection® in our devices is very useful for wireless data transfer and remote control. You can place the instrument inside a glove-box, optical-box… while you control it from your computer. |
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| Which are the differences between DropStat and other potentiostats? |
| Dropstat is a low-priced, small, portable, single-technique, potentiostat-based custom Electrochemical Reader that is configured attending to customer's needs, thus allowing the researcher to have a unique instrument able to show in a LCD screen the concentration of the analyte for which the electrochemical sensor has been developed. The user can easily change internal calibration by simply inserting programmed calibration cards that can be provided upon request. |
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| Which is the most suitable bipotentiostat/galvanostat for my research? |
| The range of Metrohm DropSens bipotentiostat/galvanostast covers the different needs and a broad range of technical characteristics and budgets. For any advice, please contact to [email protected] or [email protected], where one of our experts will provide you with further support. |
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| What is the after sales service offered by DropSens? |
Metrohm DropSens ensures continues high-quality technical support to our users, by email, phone or web-meeting sessions, in order to solve any technical enquire about the instrument's operation.
In the event of damage to the instrument after warranty period expiration, Metrohm DropSens will undertake the repair of the instrument after getting customer's approval on estimated repair and shipping costs. Metrohm DropSens will guarantee lowest possible repair costs and shortest possible repair times. |
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| Is the µSTAT200 a galvanostat? |
| µSTAT200 is a portable Bipotentiostat that can be applied for Voltammetric and Amperometric measurements, and it doesn't include galvanostatic techniques. However is a very useful device as the main electroanalytical techniques are available (Cyclic Voltammetry, Linear Sweep Voltammetry, Square Wave Voltammetry, Differential Pulse Voltammetry, Amperometric Detection and Pulsed Amperometric Detection). The software includes is very intuitive and it can be a very suitable instrument for a first approach to electrochemistry. |
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| What is the main difference between µSTAT200, µSTAT300 and µSTAT400? |
One of the main differences between µSTAT400 and the other two instruments is that µSTAT400 is also galvanostat. Other differences lie on the potential range or measurable currents. Please, check in the chart below some of the main differences between these instruments.
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µSTAT200 |
µSTAT300 |
µSTAT400 |
| Power |
USB |
Li-ion Battery/USB/DC
Charge adaptator |
Li-ion Battery/USB/DC
Charge adaptator |
| PC Interface |
USB |
Wireless Connection/USB |
Wireless Connection/USB |
| Operating modes |
Bipotentiostat (same potential applied to each WE).
Potentiostat
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Bipotentiostat, Potentiostat |
Bipotentiostat, Potentiostat, Galvanostat |
| Number of channels |
2 WE sharing AUX and REF |
2 WE sharing AUX and REF |
2 WE sharing AUX and REF |
| DC-Potential Range |
±2V |
±2V |
±4V |
| Current Ranges |
±1nA to ±100µA
(6 ranges) |
±1nA to ±1mA
(7 ranges) |
±1nA to ±10mA
(8 ranges) |
| Max. Measurable current |
±200 µA |
±3 mA |
±40 mA |
| Available Techniques |
Total:6 |
Total: 10 |
Total:22 |
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Voltammetric: LSV, CV, SWV, DPV. |
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Amperometric: AD, PAD. |
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Voltammetric: LSV, CV, SWV, DPV, NPV, NPDV, ACV. |
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Amperometric: AD, PAD, MAD. |
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Voltammetric: LSV, CV, SWV, DPV, NPV, NPDV, ACV, LPR. |
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Amperometric: AD, PAD, MAD, FA, FRA, COUL. |
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Potentiometric: LSP, CP, PD, FP, ZCP, PSA (G/F), MPD. |
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LSV+AD; CV+AD. |
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| Software |
DropView 200 |
DropView 8400 |
DropView 8400 |
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Please, do not hesitate to contact us. We will help you and recommend the most suitable instrument according to your requirements and needs. |
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| Do you have multichannel instruments? |
| You have also the option to work with multichannel instruments (µSTAT8000 with up to 8 channels, and µSTAT4000 with up to 4 channels). |
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| May I configure independently each channel? |
| Every channel works as an independent potentiostat/galvanostat allowing you to perform different measurements (different parameters, different techniques). |
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| May I work with an electrochemical cell containing 4 WE sharing the same RE and CE? |
| Multichannel instrument like µSTAT4000 allows you to perform analysis where you have 4 working electrodes sharing the same reference and counter electrodes. Instrument µSTAT8000 allows you to work with up to 8 working electrodes sharing reference and counter. |
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| ELECTRODES |
| How do I use Screen-Printed Electrodes (SPEs)? |
It is very easy. With the aid of a micropipette just place a drop of 40-50 µL, covering the three electrodes (counter, reference and working). You can also immerse the electrode into solution. Just make sure that the 3 electrode system is in contact with your solution. |
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| What working electrode materials does DropSens offer? |
| Dropsens offers a wide range of working electrode materials such as Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver, Carbon modified with metal nanoparticles (gold or silver nanoparticles), nanocarbon materials (CNTs, CNFs, MC, OMC, GPH,…), nanohybrids materials (CNT-GNP, CNF-GNP, GPH-GNP), Streptavidin and Extravidin modified carbon electrodes, Copper, Bismuth, Titanium, Antimony, Chromium, Nickel, Tin, Aluminium, Molybdenum, Lead, Tantalum, Tungsten, Steel and Carbon Steel, Palladium as well as electrodes with electrochemical mediators like Cobalt-phtalocyanine, Prussian Blue, Meldola's Blue and Ferrocyanide. Please check all our references in the electrodes section in our website as it is often updated with new releases. Find out more |
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| Which electrode model is recommended for my application? |
Take a look at the publications section of our website where you can find many interesting papers published by international researchers related to the use and applications of different Metrohm DropSens products.
Feel free to contact us anytime. We would be pleased provide you with related advice. Still, you have the complete knowledge in your specific research so bear in mind that trying the SPEs would be the best way to find out which reference suits you better. |
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| Should I pretreat the electrodes? |
Electrodes are ready to be used and no general pretreatment protocol is established. With screen-printed electrodes you avoid tedious polishing steps of conventional solid electrodes before performing a measurement.
Still, some researchers apply electrochemical pretreatments for specific applications. For example, the typical treatment of gold electrodes is preforming successive cycles in sulphuric acid (0.1M) between 0 and 1.6V at s.r. 100mV/s.
You can check in Metrohm DropSens publications section what other users of these references usually do. |
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What range of pH solutions can be used with screen-printed electrodes? |
| SPEs can be used in acid, neutral and basic media as any other conventional solid electrode. |
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| What electrode substrates do you work with? |
Most of catalogue electrodes are manufactured over alumina substrate. Plastic substrate is used in PEDOT, ITO, transparent gold and some IDEs electrodes. Glass is used for most of our IDEs electrodes.
Manufacturing in other materials can be evaluated under request as a customized product. |
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| Could you manufacture electrodes with my own design? |
| Yes, we have the capability of customizing electrodes under your requirements. In order to confirm if we can fulfill your needs we need a rough sketch of your design including all dimensions and materials. |
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| Which are the differences between gold electrodes AT and BT? |
The difference between AT and BT electrodes is that they are made with different kinds of gold screen-printing inks. AT ink is cured with a high temperature process (around 900ºC) whereas BT uses a low temperature process (around 150ºC). In the SEM micrographs of both models' surfaces below, it can be noticed that BT models show a rougher surface due to the low temperature treatment.
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We have these two kinds of gold in order to offer a wider electrochemical behaviour to researchers when it comes to gold electrodes. In other words, AT and BT models can show different or similar behaviour depending on the particular experiment i.e. they may have different or similar electrochemical properties depending on the redox system used. There are not defined criteria to describe the properties of each model because these properties depend on the sensor developed, on the electrodes and on the redox molecule tested. For example, ferricyanide shows better electron transfer on AT electrodes than on BT electrodes; also, in a general way we can say that AT models sometimes show better repeatability results, but customers often select BT models to develop biosensors on them. For these reasons, the best way to start working with these electrodes could be testing them and compare their characteristics for the specific application.
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In order to find out which reference is more suitable to your concrete application, Metrohm DropSens has available ref. DRP-AUMIX, including a mix of gold electrodes of high and low temperature. |
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| Single use electrodes: can I use them more than one time? |
| It depends on your analysis protocol, SPE present high reproducibility, therefore we really recommend to use one electrode per analysis. |
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| Can I sterilize electrodes? |
| Autoclave during 5 min and 120ºC does not affect SPE performance. |
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Which temperature can withstand Metrohm DropSens electrodes?
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It depends on the substrate, as glass electrodes (ref. G-IDEAU5, G-IDEAU10, G-IDECONAU10, G-IDEPT5, G-IDEPT10, G-IDECONPT10, G-IDE222, G-IDE555) can be heated up to 450-500 ºC, ceramic up to 800 ºC (ref. IDEAU200) and plastic references up to 80 ºC (ref. P-IDEAU100, PW-IDEAU100, PW-IDEPD100).
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| Can I work with organic solvents? |
| SPEs are meant to be used with aqueous solutions however they resist certain organic solvents under concrete conditions. If you plan to use our SPEs with organic solvents contact us and we will inform you on the tests we have carried out. |
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Which are the main differences between an Ag pseudoreference electrode of a SPE and a standard Ag/AgCl reference electrode? |
Metrohm DropSens' standard screen-printed electrodes use a silver pseudoreference electrode. There is a shift of -131mV when compared to classical Ag/AgCl reference electrode.
Now you have available our reference C11L where Ag/AgCl screen-printed electrode is used as reference.
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Can I use an external reference electrode instead of screen-printed reference electrode? |
Yes, there isn't any inconvenience in using an external reference electrode instead of the printed one. There is also the option to custom your electrodes without screen- printing reference electrode.
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| In flow injection analysis, should I change the screen-printed electrode (SPE) after each measurement? |
| It depends on the analysis you are performing, but most of the times you can reuse them. |
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| What is the thickness of the working electrode manufactured by Physical Vapour Depostion (PVD) process in references BI10, W10, TI10, SN10, NI10, CR10, AL10, MO10, PB10, CO10, TA10, ST10 and CST10? |
| The metal is deposited over the ceramic substrate by PVD and a thin layer of 1μm pure metal is obtained. Besides this, the roughness of these electrodes corresponds to the roughness of the alumina substrate, it means Ra = 1 μm. |
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| Which are the differences between thick-film electrodes made by PVD and by screen- printing? |
When the working electrode is made by PVD, you obtain an electrode of pure material (metal) without any additive. Besides this, these electrodes are packed individually for limiting the oxidation of metal surface and they can not be polished. |
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Which is the thickness of the G-IDE electrode models? |
Interdigitated electrodes over glass substrates are manufactured by photolithography. The layers obtained are within the range from 150 to 200 nm. |
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| What is the adhesion layer in the IDEs electrodes over glass substrate made of? |
| In order to get a better adhesion of gold or platinum over glass substrate, a thin layer of titanium is deposited before sputtering with gold or platinum. |
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| Which are the references recommended for the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs)? |
| There are many possibilities including gold and silver electrodes (ref. 220AT, 220BT, 250AT, 250BT, C013, 013) or gold and silver nanoparticle modified electrodes (ref. 110GNP, 110AGNP). Check all the possibilities at publication page. |
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| I am interested in immobilising a biotinylated antibody in the surface of a screen- printed electrode (SPE), what is SPE reference model recommended? |
Streptavidin or ExtrAvidin modified electrodes are the most convenient ones for immobilization of large amount of biotinlylated molecules. Check all the available references. |
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Why are useful the streptavidin modified screen-printed electrodes? |
| Streptavidin is a protein purified from Streptomyces avidinii and it is characterized by an extraordinarily high affinity for biotin. Streptavidin is used in biotechnology due to the strongest non-covalent interaction to biotin. Check the available references here. |
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Are Streptavidin electrodes stable at room temperature? |
| These electrodes are stable at room temperature. However, we recommend storing it at 2-8oC in a fridge where the temperature is well controlled. Check how to handle this product here. |
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| Can I perform impedance measurements with Metrohm DropSens electrodes? |
| You could work with most of available Metrohm DropSens electrodes, depending on your specific needs. Our publication page includes numerous reference papers that will help on your research. |
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| I am working in the development of a high-throughput screening test; do you have any product suitable for such kind of experiments? |
| High-throughoutput tests can be performed in batch or in flow using a wide range of products available at Metrohm DropSens. You can select from a wide range of screen-printed 96X electrochemical ELISA plates or 8X electrode arrays, which can be a good option to perform multiplex assays. Individual electrodes used with specific multichannel connectors and instruments are also suitable for multiplex analysis. |
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On the other side, BIACELL or FIASYSTEM are also suitable solutions for performing high-throughput tests.
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Are 96 wells plate capable of working with aqueous solvents (e.g. PBS buffer, etc.) and organic (e.g. ethanol, acetonitrile, etc.) solvents as well? |
Aqueous based solutions are compatible with these plates. Organic solutions are not recommended as can damage the adhesion between the substrate (where electrodes are printed) and the plastic wells. |
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Is it possible to use ref. 96X110 or any other of these references for UV or fluorescence measurements? |
The bottom of the well-plate is a PCB substrate while the wells are defined by standard black polymer used in ELISA plates for fluorescence. Depending on your system, they can be compatible just that PCB substrate do not interfere with your signal. |
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Which are the most useful Metrohm DropSens electrodes for spectroelectrochemical transmission experiments? |
| For transmission analysis while performing an electrochemical test we recommend transparent working electrodes references PEDOT10, COTE10, ITO10 or AUTR10. The different available materials, PEDOT, Carbon, Indium Tin Oxide and transparent Gold are perfect for getting a good transmission signal. You can check all the references acquiring the mix of OTE, OTEMIX. |
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| Which kind of electrodes are thin-layer flow-cell integrated screen-printed electrodes (TLFCL family)? |
| These Screen-printed electrodes have integrated a one-channel flow-cell an easy control of the sample volume in batch mode and also in flow injection analysis. Check the different available modes here. Check how to get the best from these references at our publications page. |
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Why are microelectrodes attractive for analytical applications? |
| Because they show a specific behaviour due to nonlinear diffusion and the observed steady-state currents- which allow the study of electrochemical reactions in short time - yield in higher currents. |
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Which is the collection efficiency in generator/collector sensors when using
G-IDE222 or G-IDE555 references?
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It is the ratio of currents at the generator and collector electrodes, when using G-IDE222 and G-IDE555 as generator/collector sensor.
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| What is the thickness of the PEDOT layer in the electrodes P10? |
| The screen-printed PEDOT layer has a thickness of 3 +/- 1 μm. |
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Is there a limitation on maximum flow-rates when working with TLFCL SPEs?
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The cover is highly stable and high flow rates can be achieved. For example, 4 mL/min could be used in a measurement. However the optimal flow rate should be checked as it depends on your specific experiment.
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| Interdigitated electrodes are usually used for conductivity measurements. Which are the Kcell of Metrohm DropSens Interdigitated Electrodes (IDEs)? |
| You can check here information for each reference. |
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| Do you have transparent working electrodes? |
| Yes, we have gold, transparent carbon, ITO and PEDOT screen printed electrodes highly recommended for spectroelectrochemical applications in transmission mode. |
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