A strategy is presented for studying multiple modalities of catalysts in a paper-based platform using stencil-printed electrodes and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Microfluidic devices improve precision of experiments, shorten experiment times, and allow multiplexed analyses of catalytic reactions. By strategically configuring multiple modalities of catalysts, one can generate desired chemical conversions. As a proof of concept, the full oxidation of glycerol will be studied where three modalities of catalysts (biological, molecular, and inorganic) will be used in series. We report on a 3D paper-based platform for multiplexed characterization of catalysts and chemically converted analytes. The enzyme oxalate decarboxylase coupled with electrocatalysts will be demonstrated ^1,2. The components within the device are modular and can be made by researchers using common laboratory tools. By strategically manipulating porous media, stencil-printing electrodes, and placing SERS detection zones, one can devise a customizable tool useful for understanding the interactions of different catalysts for complex chemical conversion reactions.

References:

1. Hickey, D. P., McCammant, M. S., Giroud, F., Sigman, M. S. & Minteer, S. D. Hybrid enzymatic and organic electrocatalytic cascade for the complete oxidation of glycerol. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136, 15917–15920 (2014).
2. Abdellaoui, S., Hickey, D. P., Stephens, A. R. & Minteer, S. D. Recombinant oxalate decarboxylase: enhancement of a hybrid catalytic cascade for the complete electro-oxidation of glycerol. Chem. Commun. 51, 14330–14333 (2015).