A novel potentiometric sensor based on urease/ bovine serum albumin-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/Pt for urea detection

Abstract

AbstractWe have presented a potentiometric urea sensor using an urease/bovine serum albumin (BSA)-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT)/Pt electrode. A urea detection sensitivity of 15.2 mV/decade (order of magnitude) has been achieved. BSA trapped in the PEDOT matrix was employed to bond urease molecules on the surface of a BSA-PEDOT/Pt electrode via amide bonds formed between the carboxyl functional groups on the enzyme and the amines on the BSA. The effects of PEDOT thickness, pH value of the urea solution, urease concentration, and temperature on the urea detection sensitivity were also studied. The lifetime of the sensor was studied for a period of 10 weeks, and the average sensing degradation rate was about 9 % per week. This sensor displayed a high selectivity to urea over glucose, KCl, and NaCl.