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A Disposable paper breathalyzer with an alcohol sensing organic electrochemical transistor.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Bihar, Eloїse 
Deng, Yingxin 
Miyake, Takeo 
Saadaoui, Mohamed 
Malliaras, George G 

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Breathalyzers estimate Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) from the concentration of ethanol in the breath. Breathalyzers are easy to use but are limited either by their high price and by environmental concerns, or by a short lifetime and the need for continuous recalibration. Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept disposable breathalyzer using an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) modified with alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) as the sensor. The OECT is made with the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT: PSS), and is printed on paper. ADH and its cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) are immobilized onto the OECT with an electrolyte gel. When the OECT-breathalyzer is exposed to ethanol vapor, the enzymatic reaction of ADH and ethanol transforms NAD(+) into NADH, which causes a decrease in the OECT source drain current. In this fashion, the OECT-breathalyzer easily detects ethanol in the breath equivalent to BAC from 0.01% to 0.2%. The use of a printed OECT may contribute to the development of breathalyzers that are disposable, ecofriendly, and integrated with wearable devices for real-time BAC monitoring.

Description

Keywords

0303 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry, Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol Use and Health

Journal Title

Sci Rep

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2045-2322
2045-2322

Volume Title

6

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC