Building Block Engineering toward Realizing High-Performance Electrochromic Materials and Glucose Biosensing Platform.

The molecular engineering of conjugated systems has proven to be an effective method for understanding structure-property relationships toward the advancement of optoelectronic properties and biosensing characteristics. Herein, a series of three thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD)-based conjugated monomers, modified with electron-rich selenophene, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), or both building blocks (Se-TPD, EDOT-TPD, and EDOT-Se-TPD), were synthesized using Stille cross-coupling and electrochemically polymerized, and their electrochromic properties and applications in a glucose biosensing platform were explored. The influence of structural modification on electrochemical, electronic, optical, and biosensing properties was systematically investigated. The results showed that the cyclic voltammograms of EDOT-containing materials displayed a high charge capacity over a wide range of scan rates representing a quick charge propagation, making them appropriate materials for high-performance supercapacitor devices. UV-Vis studies revealed that EDOT-based materials presented wide-range absorptions, and thus low optical band gaps. These two EDOT-modified materials also exhibited superior optical contrasts and fast switching times, and further displayed multi-color properties in their neutral and fully oxidized states, enabling them to be promising materials for constructing advanced electrochromic devices. In the context of biosensing applications, a selenophene-containing polymer showed markedly lower performance, specifically in signal intensity and stability, which was attributed to the improper localization of biomolecules on the polymer surface. Overall, we demonstrated that relatively small changes in the structure had a significant impact on both optoelectronic and biosensing properties for TPD-based donor-acceptor polymers.

Electrochemical detection of Oxaliplatin induced DNA damage in G-quadruplex structures.

Oxaliplatin (OXP) is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent that induces DNA damage by forming intra- and interstrand crosslinks, mainly at the N7s of adenine (A) and guanine (G) bases. In addition to double-stranded DNA, G-rich G-quadruplex (G4)-forming sequences can also be targeted by OXP. However, high doses of OXP can lead to drug resistance and cause serious adverse effects during treatment. To better understand the targeting of G4 structures by OXP, their interactions as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying OXP resistance and adverse effects, there is a need for a rapid, quantitative, and cost-effective method to detect OXP and the damage it causes. In this study, we successfully fabricated a graphite electrode biosensor modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to investigate the interactions between OXP and the G4-forming promoter region (Pu22) of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The overexpression of VEGF is known to be associated with tumor progression and the stabilization of VEGF G4 by small molecules is shown to suppresses VEGF transcription in different cancer cell lines. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to investigate the interactions between OXP and Pu22-G4 DNA by monitoring the decrease in the oxidation signal of guanine with increasing OXP concentration. Under the optimized conditions (37 °C, 1:2 v/v AuNPs/water as electrode surface modifier, and 180 min incubation time) the developed probe showed a linear dynamic range of 1.0-10.0 µM with a detection limit of 0.88 µM and limit of quantification of 2.92 µM. Fluorescence spectroscopy was also used to support the electrochemical studies. We observed a decrease in the fluorescence emission of Thioflavin T in the presence of Pu22 upon addition of OXP. To our knowledge, this is the first electrochemical sensor developed to study OXP-induced damage to G4 DNA structures. Our findings provide new insights into the interactions between VEGF G4 and OXP, which could aid in targeting VEGF G4 structures and the development of new strategies to overcome OXP resistance.

Innovative polymer engineering for the investigation of electrochemical properties and biosensing ability.

Subtle engineering for the generation of a biosensor from a conjugated polymer with the inclusion of fluorine-substituted benzothiadiazole and indole moieties is reported. The engineering includes the electrochemical copolymerization of the indole-6-carboxylic acid (M1) and 5-fluoro-4,7-bis(4-hexylthiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (M2) on the indium tin oxide and graphite electrode surfaces for the investigation of both their electrochemical properties and biosensing abilities with their copolymer counterparts. The intermediates and final conjugated polymers, Poly(M1) [P-In6C], Poly(M2) [P-FBTz], and copoly(M1 and M2) [P-In6CFBTz], were entirely characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, CV, UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometry, and SEM techniques. HOMO energy levels of electrochemically obtained polymers were calculated from the oxidation onsets in anodic scans as -4.78 eV, -5.23 eV, and -4.89 eV, and optical bandgap (Egop) values were calculated from the onset of the lowest-energy π-π* transitions as 2.26 eV, 1.43 eV, and 1.59 eV for P-In6C, P-FBTz, and P-In6CFBTz, respectively. By incorporation of fluorine-substituted benzothiadiazole (M2) into the polymer backbone by electrochemical copolymerization, the poor electrochemical properties of P-In6C were remarkably improved. The polymer P-In6CFBTz demonstrated striking electrochemical properties such as a lower optical band gap, red-shifted absorption, multielectrochromic behavior, a lower switching time, and higher optical contrast. Overall, the newly developed copolymer, which combined the features of each monomer, showed superior electrochemical properties and was tested as a glucose-sensing framework, offering a low detection limit (0.011 mM) and a wide linear range (0.05-0.75 mM) with high sensitivity (44.056 µA mM-1 cm-2).

Electrochemical biosensor based on three components random conjugated polymer with fullerene (C60).

Herein, a conjugated polymer and fullerene bearing architecture-based electrochemical Tyrosinase (Tyr) enzyme inhibition biosensor for indomethacin (INDO) drug active compound has been developed. For this purpose, three moieties of benzoxadiazole, thienopyrroledione, and benzodithiophene containing conjugated polymer; poly[BDT-alt-(TP;BO)] was used as a transducer modifier together with fullerene for catechol detection. The specific combination of these materials is considered an effective way to fabricate highly sensitive and fast response catechol biosensors for the first time. Electrochemical and surface characteristics of the modified electrodes were obtained by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The effect of the parameters during chronoamperometric measurements on the biosensor response was also studied. Using optimized conditions, biosensing of catechol was achieved between 0.5 and 62.5 µM with a limit of the detection 0.11 µM. Tyr inhibition was followed with INDO drug active compound and it was found that INDO has a mixed type characteristic of enzyme kinetics with an I50 value of 15.11 µM.

A Nonionic Alcohol Soluble Polymer Cathode Interlayer Enables Efficient Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells.

The choice of interfacial materials and their properties play a critical role in determining solar cell performance and stability. For compatibility with roll-to-roll printing, it is desirable to develop stable cathode interface layers (CILs) that can be processed over the photoactive layer using orthogonal solvents. In this study, an n-type naphthalene diimide core and oligo (ethylene glycol) side-chain-based conjugated polymer is reported as a universal, efficient CIL for organic and perovskite photovoltaics. Besides good thermal stability and easy processing in alcohol/water, the new CIL is found to possess electron transport properties with an electrical conductivity of 2.3 × 10-6 S cm-1, enabling its use as a CIL with a film thickness of up to ∼35(±2) nm. Utilizing the new CIL, 16% power conversion efficiency (PCE) is achieved for organic solar cells (OSCs) based on the PM6-Y6 photoactive layer (8.9% PCE for no CIL and 15.1% with state-of-the-art CIL, PDINO), and perovskite solar cells from methylammonium lead iodide yielded a PCE of 17.6%. Compared to the reference devices, the new CIL reduced trap-assisted carrier recombination and increased the built-in potential by 80 mV, simultaneously enhancing all photovoltaic parameters. Moreover, new CIL based devices had better photostability with no burn-in losses.

A promising enzyme anchoring probe for selective ethanol sensing in beverages.

A newly designed amperometric biosensor for the determination of ethanol through one-step electrochemical coating of (4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole-co-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid) (TBeSe-co-P3CA) on a graphite electrode is presented. It was aimed to propose a newly synthesized copolymer with enhanced biosensing properties as a novel sensor for the quantification of ethanol. The conjugated copolymer (TBeSe-co-P3CA) was prepared through electrochemical polymerization by potential cycling. After polymer modification, alcohol oxidase (AOx) was immobilized on a modified electrode surface for ethanol sensing. In the analytical investigation, the calibration plot is linear above large concentration range (0.085 to 1.7 mM), where sensitivity is around 16.44 µA/mMcm2 with a very low detection limit (LOD) of 0.052 mM based on the signal-to-noise ratio in short response time. Moreover, interfering effect of some possible compounds were examined and the capability of the biosensor in estimating ethanol content in commercial alcoholic beverages was also demonstrated. The results showed satisfactory accuracy of the developed sensor and confirm the proposed sensor has a potential for ethanol quantification compared to the currently used techniques.

Fabrication of a promising immobilization platform based on electrochemical synthesis of a conjugated polymer.

Since conjugated polymers are an important class of materials with remarkable properties in biosensor applications, in this study, a novel glucose biosensor based on a conjugated polymer was fabricated via the electropolymerization of the monomer 10,13-bis(4-hexylthiophen-2-yl)dipyridol[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine onto a graphite electrode surface. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was used as the model biological recognition element. As a result of the enzymatic reaction between GOx and glucose, the glucose amount was determined by monitoring the change in the oxygen level associated with substrate concentration via the amperometric detection technique. The proposed system possessed superior properties with KMapp value of 0.262 mM, 2.88 × 10-3 mM limit of detection and 105.12 µA mM-1 cm-2 sensitivity. These results show that conjugated polymer film provides an effective and stable immobilization matrix for the enzyme. Finally, the biosensor was applied successfully to several commercially available beverage samples for glucose determination proving an inexpensive and highly sensitive system applicable for real time analyses.

Quaternized Polymer-Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Scaffolds for a Chemiresistive Glucose Sensor.

A chemiresistive glucose sensor based on poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composites was reported. To fabricate this glucose sensor, a glass substrate containing gold electrodes was treated with 3-bromopropyltrichlorosilane to obtain a covalent bonding between the polymer-SWCNT composite and the glass substrate. Some of the pyridyl moieties in P4VP react with the surface, and the remainders were quaternized using 2-bromoethanol to achieve highly charged hydrophilic surface with improved biocompatibility with enzyme molecules. The resulting biomimetic surface was functionalized with glucose oxidase (GOx) by electrostatic assembly with the quaternized P4VP-SWCNT composite. This material displays a decrease in electrical resistance as a result of enzymatically liberated hydrogen peroxide produced in response to glucose, which increases the p-doping of the SWCNT. The sensor exhibited high selectivity for glucose and showed an instant response (within 3 s) to glucose.

Polymerization and biosensor application of water soluble peptide-SNS type monomer conjugates.

A simple and efficient approach for the preparation of a biosensing platform was developed based on newly designed peptide-SNS type monomer conjugates. The approach involves the electrochemical polymerization of the peptide-SNS type monomer on the electrode surface. To synthesize the peptide bearing monomers, the SNS-type monomer having a carboxylic acid functional group was anchored to the C-terminal of the peptide by solid phase peptide synthesis via coupling reagents. Utilization of peptides to increase the solubility of the monomers was first investigated in this report. The obtained monomers, soluble in water, were fully characterized by spectral analyses and utilized as matrices for biomolecule attachment. Polymerization of monomers in water has the potential to provide an alternative process for the electrochemical preparation of the polymers in aqueous media, without using any organic solvent. Under the optimized conditions, the biosensor responded to the target analyte, glucose, in a strikingly selective and sensitive manner, and showed promising feasibility for the quantitative analysis of glucose in beverages.

Construction and amperometric biosensing performance of a novel platform containing carbon nanotubes-zinc phthalocyanine and a conducting polymer.

A novel glucose oxidase (GOx) based amperometric biosensor utilizing a conducting polymer (CP), multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and a novel water soluble zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) was constructed. For this purpose, a novel ZnPc was synthesized to examine the role of being a part of support material for enzyme deposition. High water solubility was achieved with the introduction of tetra quaternized imidazolyl moieties at the peripheral positions of phthalocyanine. In order to fabricate the proposed biosensor, a graphite electrode was firstly modified with poly[9,9-di-(2-ethylhexyl)- fluorenyl-2,7-diyl] end capped with N,N-Bis(4- methylphenyl)-4-aniline (PFLA) and MWCNTs. Then, GOx was co-immobilized with ZnPc onto the modified surface. To the best our knowledge, a sensor design which combines conjugated polymer/MWCNTs/ZnPc was attempted for the first time and this approach resulted in improved biosensor characteristics. The constructed biosensor showed a linear response for glucose between 0.025-1.0mM with a detection limit of 0.018mM. KMapp and sensitivity values were calculated as 0.53mM and 82.18µAmm-1cm-2, respectively. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques were used to investigate the surface modifications. Finally, fabricated biosensor was tested on beverages for glucose detection successfully.

A novel approach for the fabrication of a flexible glucose biosensor: The combination of vertically aligned CNTs and a conjugated polymer.

A novel flexible glucose biosensor using vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNT) and a conjugated polymer (CP) was fabricated. A scaffold based on VACNT grown on aluminum foil (VACNT-Al foil) with poly (9,9-di-(2-ethylhexyl)-fluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-end capped with 2,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (PFLO) was used as the immobilization matrix for the glucose biosensor. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized on a modified indium tin oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) electrode surface. The biosensor response at a potential of -0.7V versus Ag wire was followed by the decrease in oxygen level as a result of enzymatic reaction. The biosensor exhibited a linear range between 0.02mM and 0.5mM glucose and kinetic parameters (KMapp, Imax, limit of detection (LOD) and sensitivity) were estimated as 0.193mM, 8.170µA, 7.035×10-3mM and 65.816µA/mMcm2, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for surface characterization. The constructed biosensor was applied to determine the glucose content in several beverages.

A Novel Acetylcholinesterase Biosensor: Core-Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles Incorporating a Conjugated Polymer for the Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides.

To construct a sensing interface, in the present work, a conjugated polymer and core-shell magnetic nanoparticle containing biosensor was constructed for the pesticide analysis. The monomer 4,7-di(furan-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (FBThF) and core-shell magnetic nanoparticles were designed and synthesized for fabrication of the biosensing device. The magnetic nanoparticles were first treated with silica and then modified using carboxyl groups, which enabled binding of the biomolecules covalently. For the construction of the proposed sensor a two-step procedure was performed. First, the poly(FBThF) was electrochemically generated on the electrode surface. Then, carboxyl group modified magnetic nanoparticles (f-MNPs) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the model enzyme, were co-immobilized on the polymer-coated surface. Thereby, a robust and novel surface, conjugated polymer bearing magnetic nanoparticles with pendant carboxyl groups, was constructed, which was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle measurements. This novel architecture was then applied as an immobilization platform to detect pesticides. To the best of our knowledge, a sensor design that combines both conjugated polymer and magnetic nanoparticles was attempted for the first time, and this approach resulted in improved biosensor characteristics. Hence, this approach opens a new perspective in the field of enzyme immobilization and sensing applications. Paraoxon and trichlorfon were selected as the model toxicants. To obtain best biosensor performance, optimization studies were performed. Under optimized conditions, the biosensor in concern revealed a rapid response (5 s), a low detection limit (6.66 × 10(-3) mM), and high sensitivity (45.01 µA mM(-1) cm(-2)). The KM(app) value of poly(FBThF)/f-MNPs/AChE were determined as 0.73 mM. Furthermore, there was no considerable activity loss for 10 d for poly(FBThF)/f-MNPs/AChE biofilm.

Calixarene assembly with enhanced photocurrents using P(SNS-NH2)/CdS nanoparticle structure modified Au electrode systems.

Two novel calix[n]arene-adorned gold electrodes producing high photocurrent intensities were successfully constructed by embedding gold electrode surfaces with both P(4-(2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzenamine) conducting polymer and 4-mercaptoboronic acid-functionalized semiconductor CdS nanoparticles to facilitate the binding of calix[n]arene sulfonic acids with nanoparticles. This structure enabled an electron transfer cascade that both induced effective charge separation and efficiently generated photocurrent. The prepared electrodes were used to generate photocurrent by relying on the host-guest interactions of guests Br3(-) and I3(-), which if positioned well in the system was able to fill electron-hole pairs of CdS nanoparticles. As a result, host calixarene derivatives crucially held Br3(-) and I3(-) ions at a substantial distance from CdS nanoparticles. Furthermore, the effects of various calixarenes on the photocurrent obtained indicate that the generation of photocurrent intensities by the system depends on the cavity sizes of calixarene derivatives, which provide an essential center for Br3(-) and I3(-) ions.

Selenium containing conducting polymer based pyranose oxidase biosensor for glucose detection.

A novel amperometric pyranose oxidase (PyOx) biosensor based on a selenium containing conducting polymer has been developed for the glucose detection. For this purpose, a conducting polymer; poly(4,7-bis(thieno[3,2-b]thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5] selenadiazole) (poly(BSeTT)) was synthesized via electropolymerisation on gold electrode to examine its matrix property for glucose detection. For this purpose, PyOx was used as the model enzyme and immobilised via physical adsorption technique. Amperometric detection of consumed oxygen was monitored at -0.7 V vs Ag reference electrode in a phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 7.0). K(M)(app), Imax, LOD and sensitivity were calculated as 0.229 mM, 42.37 nA, 3.3 × 10(-4)nM and 6.4 nA/mM cm(2), respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques were used to monitor changes in surface morphologies and to run electrochemical characterisations. Finally, the constructed biosensor was applied for the determination of glucose in beverages successfully.

A novel and effective surface design: conducting polymer/ß-cyclodextrin host-guest system for cholesterol biosensor.

The combination of supramolecules and conducting polymers (CPs) has gained much attention for the development of new immobilization matrices for biomolecules. Herein, an amperometric biosensor based on a novel conducting polymer, poly(2-(2-octyldodecyl)-4,7-di(selenoph-2-yl)-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole)) (PSBTz) and ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) for the detection of cholesterol, was constructed. The PSBTz film with ß-CD was deposited on a graphite electrode by electropolymerization technique to achieve a suitable matrix for enzyme immobilization. Moreover, to justify the immobilization, alkyl chain containing conducting polymer (PSBTz) was designed, synthesized and electrochemically polymerized on the transducer surface. Alkyl chains in the structure of SBTz and hydroxyl groups of ß-CD contributed to effective immobilization while protecting the suitable orientation of the biomolecule. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) was covalently immobilized onto the modified surface using N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) as the cross-linking agent. After successful immobilization, amperometric biosensor responses were recorded at −0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (KM(app)), maximum current (Imax), limit of detection (LOD), and sensitivity values were determined: 28.9 µM, 12.1 µA, 0.005 µM, and 5.77 µA/µM cm(2), respectively. The fabricated biosensor was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. Finally, the prepared biosensor was successfully applied for the determination of cholesterol in blood samples.

A novel DAD type and folic acid conjugated fluorescent monomer as a targeting probe for imaging of folate receptor overexpressed cells.

We describe a modification and post-functionalization technique for a donor-acceptor-donor type monomer; 6-(4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-2H-benzo[d][1,2, 3]triazol-2-yl)hexan-1-amine. Folic acid was attached to the fluorescent structure. The conjugation was confirmed via NMR and Fourier transform infrared analyses. Cytotoxicity was investigated and the comparison of association of targeted monomeric structures in tumor cells was monitored via fluorescence microscopy.

Bioactive surface design based on functional composite electrospun nanofibers for biomolecule immobilization and biosensor applications.

The combination of nanomaterials and conducting polymers attracted remarkable attention for development of new immobilization matrices for enzymes. Hereby, an efficient surface design was investigated by modifying the graphite rod electrode surfaces with one-step electrospun nylon 6,6 nanofibers or 4% (w/w) multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) incorporating nylon 6,6 nanofibers (nylon 6,6/4MWCNT). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy study confirmed the successful incorporation of the MWCNTs into the nanofiber matrix for nylon 6,6/4MWCNT sample. Then, these nanofibrous surfaces were coated with a conducting polymer, (poly-4-(4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)benzaldehyde) (PBIBA) to obtain a high electroactive surface area as new functional immobilization matrices. Due to the free aldehyde groups of the polymeric structures, a model enzyme, glucose oxidase was efficiently immobilized to the modified surfaces via covalent binding. Scanning electron microscope images confirmed that the nanofibrous structures were protected after the electrodeposition step of PBIBA and a high amount of protein attachment was successfully achieved by the help of high surface to volume ratio of electroactive nanofiber matrices. The biosensors were characterized in terms of their operational and storage stabilities and kinetic parameters (K(m)(app) and Imax). The resulting novel glucose biosensors revealed good stability and promising Imax values (10.03 and 16.67 µA for nylon 6,6/PBIBA and nylon 6,6/4MWCNT/PBIBA modified biosensors, respectively) and long shelf life (32 and 44 days for nylon 6,6/PBIBA and nylon 6,6/4MWCNT/PBIBA modified biosensors, respectively). Finally, the biosensor was tested on beverages for glucose detection.

Development of a novel biosensor based on a conducting polymer.

A new type of amperometric cholesterol biosensor was fabricated to improve the biosensor characteristics such as sensitivity and reliability. For this purpose, a novel immobilization matrix 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,7-di(thiophene-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (BIPF) was electrochemically deposited on a graphite electrode and used as a matrix for the immobilization of cholesterol oxidase (ChOx). Due to strong π-π stacking of aromatic groups in the structures of polymer backbone and enzyme molecule, one can easily achieve a sensitive and reliable biosensor without using any membrane or covalent bond formation between the enzyme molecules and polymer surface. Moreover, through pendant fluorine group of the polymer, H-bond formation between with enzyme molecules and polymer was generated. Cholesterol was used as the substrate and amperometric response was measured in correlation with cholesterol amount, at -0.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). Consequently, optimum conditions for this constructed biosensor were determined. K(M)app, I(max), LOD and sensitivity values were investigated and calculated as 4.0 nM, 2.27 µA, 0.404 µM and 1.47 mA/mM cm(2), respectively. A novel and accurate cholesterol biosensor was developed for the determination of total cholesterol in food samples.

Development of an efficient immobilization matrix based on a conducting polymer and functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes: synthesis and its application to ethanol biosensors.

Material modification is one of the hot topics recently. Hereby a novel functional monomer, 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (BIPN), was synthesized for matrix generation through electrochemical polymerization. Its conducting polymer was successfully used for the biolayer construction in the biosensor preparation. The electrochemical and morphological properties were improved by the introduction of carboxylic acid functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs). Carboxylic acid functionalization of MWCNTs was carried out via acid treatment. The electrode surface was modified with the polymer and f-MWCNTs during electropolymerization to achieve a perfect immobilization matrix for alcohol oxidase. In order to prepare a new alcohol biosensor, alcohol oxidase (AOx) was immobilized onto the modified electrode. The modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. Electrochemical responses of the enzyme electrodes were monitored at -0.7 V vs. Ag reference electrode by monitoring oxygen consumption in the presence of ethanol. Kinetic parameters, operational and storage stabilities were investigated. K, Imax, LOD and sensitivity were calculated as 16.946 mM, 3.31 µA, 0.806 mM and 476 µA mM-1 cm-2, respectively. Finally, this biosensor was applied to estimate the alcohol content in various beverages successfully.

A novel promising biomolecule immobilization matrix: synthesis of functional benzimidazole containing conducting polymer and its biosensor applications.

In order to construct a robust covalent binding between biomolecule and immobilization platform in biosensor preparation, a novel functional monomer 4-(4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)benzaldehyde (BIBA) was designed and successfully synthesized. After electropolymerization of this monomer, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties were investigated in detail. To fabricate the desired biosensor, glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized as a model enzyme on the polymer coated graphite electrode with the help of glutaraldehyde (GA). During the immobilization step, an imine bond was formed between the free amino groups of enzyme and aldehyde group of polymer. The surface characterization and morphology were investigated to confirm bioconjugation by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at each step of biosensor fabrication. The optimized biosensor shows good linearity between 0.02mM and 1.20mM and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 2.29µM. Kinetic parameters Km(app) and Imax were determined as 0.94mM and 10.91µA, respectively. The biosensor was tested for human blood serum samples.