Simple-easy electrochemical sensing mode assisted with integrative carbon-based gel electrolyte for in-situ monitoring of plant hormone indole acetic acid

Developing a pragmatic pattern for timely learning crop growth information is significant in promoting high-quality agricultural production. Herein, an electrochemical sensing mode is designed for in-situ monitoring plant hormone (indole acetic acid as a typical example). To simplify the available electrochemical procedure with separate division of sensing interface decoration and liquid electrolyte addition, a bi-functional electrolyte, with superior quality of electron conduction and ion mass transfer, is built by exploiting the excellent conductivity of carbon-based nanostructures and the dynamic redox cycle between phenols and metal ions, endowed with the integration between conductive medium and semi-solid electrolyte. Since the one-step decoration of gel electrolyte, the sensing interface greatly simplifies the testing procedure without adding liquid electrolytes. With fascinating merits of integrative carbon-based gel electrolyte, electrochemical sensing toward in-situ tracing indole acetic acid with attractive simplicity and practicability, fulfilling the goal of acquiring information on plant growth status in timely manner. [Display omitted] •Integrative carbon-based gel electrolyte is devised with superior bi-functional features.•Sensing interface is built by one-step decoration for electron conduction and ion mass transfer.•Testing procedure is simplified greatly without extra addition of liquid electrolyte.•The sensor offers a pragmatic way for in-situ tracing of hormone within plant tissues.•The strategy is well qualified for acquiring plant growth information in a timely manner.