Adsorption of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes-silicate film: application to bioelectrocatalytic dioxygen reduction.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were entrapped in sol-gel processed hydrophilic silicate thin film on tin-doped indium oxide support. Microscopic images show that the nanotubes form large agglomerates of largely separated nanotubes covered by silicate film. The measurements of capacitive current prove that approximately 10% of them remain electrochemically active. The surface confined cyclic voltammetry indicate adsorption of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) on this material. The oxidation charge estimated after the adsorption saturated shows that this compound is adsorbed on almost all the surface of the immobilised carbon nanotubes. After further modification of the electrode with extracellular laccase from Cerrena unicolor electrocatalytic dioxygen reduction is observed. The immobilised enzyme exhibits catalytic action whereas 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) adsorbed on carbon nanotubes serves as electron mediator between protein and electrode. Bioelectrocatalysis is also observed in the absence of adsorbed mediator but the efficiency of the process is approximately one order of magnitude smaller.

ABTS-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes as an effective mediating system for bioelectrocatalytic reduction of oxygen.

The ability of such a common redox mediator as 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) to undergo sorption on carbon surfaces is explored here to convert multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a stable colloidal solution of ABTS-modified carbon nanostructures, the diameters of which are approximately 10 nm (as determined by transmission electron microscopy). Subsequently, inks composed of fungal laccase (Cerrena unicolor) mixed with the dispersion of ABTS-modified CNTs and stabilized with Nafion, were deposited on glassy carbon and successfully employed to the reduction of oxygen in McIlvain buffer at pH 5.2. For comparison, the systems utilizing only ABTS-free CNTs and laccase as well as ABTS-modified CNTs did not show appreciable activity toward the oxygen reduction. The three-dimensionally distributed ABTS-modified CNTs are expected to improve the film's overall conductivity and to facilitate electrical connection between the electrode and the enzyme. The network film of ABTS-modified CNTs is rigid, and it is characterized by charge propagation capabilities comparable to the conventional redox polymers. The whole concept of utilization of CNTs modified with ultrathin films of redox mediators in the preparation of efficient bioelectrocatalytic films seems to be of general importance to electroanalytical chemistry and to the development of biosensors.

Polyoxometallates as inorganic templates for electrocatalytic network films of ultra-thin conducting polymers and platinum nanoparticles.

We develop a concept of fabrication of the multilayer network films on electrodes by exploring the ability of a Keggin-type polyoxometallate, phosphododecamolybdate (PMo(12)O(40)(3-)), to form stable anionic monolayers (templates) on carbon and metals including platinum. By repeated alternate treatments in the solution of PMo(12)O(40)(3-) (or in the colloidal suspension of polyoxometallate-protected Pt-nanoparticles) and in the solution of monomer (e.g. anilinium) cations, the amount of the material can be increased systematically (layer-by-layer) to form stable three-dimensional assemblies on electrode (e.g. glassy carbon) surfaces. In the resulting hybrid (organic-inorganic) films, the layers of negatively charged polyoxometallate, or polyoxometallate-protected (stabilized) Pt-nanoparticles, are linked or electrostatically attracted by ultra-thin layers of such positively charged conducting polymers as polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy) or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT. Consequently, the attractive physicochemical properties of polymers and reactivity of polyoxometallate or noble metal particles are combined. The films are functionalized and show electrocatalytic properties towards reduction of nitrite, bromate, hydrogen peroxide or oxygen. They are of importance to the chemical and biochemical sensing as well as to the biochemical and medical applications.