Abstract
The ultimate aim of developing electrochemical sensors or biosensors, EBs, is proposing to the scientific community devices suitable for real sample analysis. It follows that sensor performances should be concretized by proper figures of merit, FM, estimated according to agreed protocols, and reported according to unambiguous formats. As far as we know the most frequently reported FM are those usually estimated in validation studies, e.g., linear range, limits of detection and quantification, precision, trueness, uncertainty, selectivity, and recovery. Of course, developing and testing new EBs seldom need a complete validation study. Most frequently, papers are mainly aimed at reporting details of the method used to prepare the sensor, of experiments used for characterizing its chemical/biochemical/electrochemical/morphological features, and of its potential applications. But, if some analytical performances of the proposed sensor are presented to the reader, then they should be estimated by reliable approaches and allow a reasonably appropriate interpretation. However, while preparing a recent review paper dealing with glassy carbon electrode surface modified by acidic functionalities, it was noticed that quite often some of the reported FM were ill defined or reported in an inadequate format. In such a situation, reconsidering how to estimate and report them might be valuable to any experimentalist involved in developing EBs.
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Financial support by COFIN 2010-2011 (Programmi di Ricerca Scientifica di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale, MIUR, 2010AXENJ8_002) is acknowledged.
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Desimoni, E., Brunetti, B. (2015). Data Treatment of Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors. In: Moretto, L., Kalcher, K. (eds) Environmental Analysis by Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors. Nanostructure Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1301-5_18
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