Determination of hematocrit by voltage-induced hemolysis on a disposable electrochemical sensing stripElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5an01251a

Besides being a crucial parameter for surgery and clinical diagnosis, hematocrit tends to affect the analytical results of point-of-care analytical devices. Therefore, an accurate and quick method for measuring hematocrit was developed on the basis of screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE). An impulse DC voltage of 3.0 V was imposed on ferricyanide-coated SPCE to induce hemolysis, and the released hemoglobin reduced the ferricyanide, generating a higher oxidation current for estimating hematocrit. Hematocrit ranging from 10 to 70% can be determined in 5 s by linear sweep voltammetry ( r 2 = 0.9907) or 0.8 s by 3 V of potential step voltammetry ( r 2 = 0.9833). A simple and rapid hematocrit determination method was developed. The voltage-induced hemolysis causes the released hemoglobin to react electrochemically with the immobilized ferricyanide on a disposable sensing strip.