Characterization of a Ferrocene-Containing Polyacrylamide-Based Redox Gel for Biosensor Use

Abstract

A novel neutral ferrocene-containing polyacrylamide-based redox gel was prepared from the copolymerization of vinylferrocene (VF) with acrylamide and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide in a one-step procedure. Hydroxypropyl-,8-cyclodextrin (HPCD) was used to convert water-insoluble VF into the water-soluble VF-HPCD inclusion complex, allowing the copolymerization to be performed in aqueous solution. A new ternary catalyst, consisting of flavin mononucleotide, H 2 O 2 , and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, was developed for initiating the polymerization. A redox gel electrode, fabricated by covering the redox gel on the surface of a carbon paste electrode with a dialysis membrane, exhibits quasi-reversible electrochemical characteristics. The electrocatalytic properties of a glucose biosensor prepared by entrapping glucose oxidase in the redox gel were investigated. The simplicity and reproducibility of its preparation make this new redox gel a good candidate for biosensor applications.