Bio and Chemical Sensors
Research
into boron doped diamond as a sensor electrode has excited many groups
in research and industry. Diamond Detectors Ltd provides these materials
as super polished plates (Ra<5nm), die and encapsulated devices across a
broad spectrum of sensing applications.
“Diamond offers advantages over other electrodes, especially commonly
used sp2 carbon electrodes, for electroanalytical measurements in terms
of linear dynamic range, limit of quantitation, response time, response
precision, and response stability.” Greg M. Swain, Dept of Chemistry,
Michigan State University
The advantages of boron-doped diamond relative to traditional electrode
materials include:
- Wide potential window in aqueous media
- Stable at extreme anodic and cathodic potentials
- Stable in chemically aggressive media
- Relatively insensitive to dissolved oxygen
- Very low background current
- Highly resistant to surface fouling
- Biocompatible
- Mechanically robust enough to withstand ultrasound, microwave or
laser activation
- Readily functionalized: e.g. hydrogen-, oxygen-, amine-, carboxyl-,
or metal-nano-particle- termination possible
- Immobilization of bio-molecules possible on functionalized diamond
surfaces

Current and emerging applications include:
- Environmental monitoring/control, e.g. trace-metal analysis;
monitoring priority pollutants
- Food and drug analysis
- Replacing mercury electrodes in much of electro-analysis
- As a support for electro-catalysts, such as metals and metal
oxides, e.g. in fuel cells
- Detection of biologically important molecules, e.g. glucose,
dopamine
- Biosensors in general
- HPLC and CE (capillary electrophoresis) end-column detection
- Real-time and in-vivo monitoring
- Organic and inorganic electro-synthesis
- Water treatment, e.g. pollutant destruction
Bio and
Chemical Sensor Properties
Diamond Detectors
| Type |
Channels |
Element Size
mm |
Rise Time
ps |
High
Responsivity |
|
Single |
1 |
|
100 |
Yes |
|
Quad
Detector |
4 |
4.7 x 4.7 |
100 |
Yes |
|
Array
Detector |
Up to 12x12 (144) |
1.0 x 1.0 each |
100 |
Yes |
Diamond Detector Package Selector
| Package Type |
Max. Detector
Size - mm |
Size - mm |
Connector
Type |
Through
Transmission |
|
SMA |
8 x 8 |
28D x 11T |
SMA |
Yes |
|
SMA Dual |
8 x 8 |
28D x 11T |
SMA |
Yes |
|
SMA Quad |
8 x 8 |
28D x 11T |
SMA |
Yes |
|
Dual End Mini |
4 x 4 |
35 x 14 x 10 |
SMA |
Yes |
|
EndStop |
8 x 8 |
20D x 38 |
BNC, SMA or TNC |
No |
|
Miniature
|
1 x 1 |
3D x 2 |
2 pins |
No |
Detector Amplifiers
|