Heat-transference of toner masks onto conductive substrates: A rapid and easy way to produce microelectrode ensembles

A novel and simple method for fabrication of microelectrode ensembles is reported. This procedure is based on the heat-transference of toner masks onto conductive substrates such as gold, platinum, and glassy carbon. The percentage of printed toner masks was controlled by using a suitable graphic software. The heat transference of 100% black toner mask onto a conductive substrate isolated electrically its whole surface, in such a way no electrochemical response was established using the modified substrate. However, when the same substrates were coated with 99% black toner mask, few naked micro-areas of the conductive material were identified. Such modified substrate presented typical electrochemical behavior of microelectrode ensembles, which evinced the presence of exposed micro-areas of substrate to the bulk solution. Different percentages of coverage were evaluated and the microelectrode ensembles were characterized by cyclic voltammetry with good agreement with the established theory. Stripping voltammetry of metals was also performed demonstrating the successful application of these new ensembles in accordance with characteristics normally presented by microelectrodes. The main advantages of this new procedure are the simplicity, low-cost of equipments (LaserJet printer and thermal press equipment), and the high speed of production of microelectrode arrays on different substrates.