Wearable electrochemical device based on butterfly-like paper-based microfluidics for pH and Na⁺ monitoring in sweat

A wearable potentiometric device is reported based on an innovative butterfly-like paper-based microfluidic system, allowing for continuous monitoring of pH and Na⁺ levels in sweat during physical activity. Specifically, the use of the butterfly-like configuration avoids evaporation phenomena and memory effects, enabling precise and timely biomarker determination in sweat. Two ad hoc modified screen-printed electrodes were embedded in the butterfly-like paper-based microfluidics, and the sensing device was further integrated with a portable and miniaturized potentiostat, leveraging Bluetooth technology for efficient data transmission. First, the paper-based microfluidic configuration was tested for optimal fluidic management to obtain optimized performance of the device. Subsequently, the two electrodes were individually tested to detect the two biomarkers, namely pH and Na⁺. The results demonstrated highly promising near-Nernstian (0.056 ± 0.002 V/dec) and super-Nernstian (− 0.080 ± 0.003 V/pH) responses, for Na⁺ and pH detection, respectively. Additionally, several important parameters such as storage stability, interferents, and memory effect by hysteresis study were also investigated. Finally, the butterfly-like paper-based microfluidic wearable device was tested for Na⁺ and pH monitoring during the physical activity of three volunteers engaged in different exercises, obtaining a good correlation between Na⁺ increase and dehydration phenomena. Furthermore, one volunteer was tested through a cardiopulmonary test, demonstrating a correlation between sodium Na⁺ increase and the energetic effort by the volunteer. Our wearable device highlights the high potential to enable early evaluation of dehydration and open up new opportunities in sports activity monitoring. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.).