Ionic Topochemical Tuned Biosensor Interface

Two new hydrophilic, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based redox copolymers bearing electrochemically active ferrocene (Fc) and thiol/disulfide anchoring functionalities were synthesized. These copolymers are shown to adsorb on gold surfaces causing polymeric self-assembled monolayers (pSAMs) that possess triple functions: redox-active, ionic-tunable, and bio-inert. Both immobilized polymers showed redox potentials at +400 mV (Ag|AgCl), and facilitate the electrocatalytical oxidation of NADH. Additionally, interfacial architecture of the polymers is affected by an increase in Ca2+ concentration, which leads to an amplification of the electrochemical response. The electrode current, measured for NADH-oxidation, increased by 80% after addition of 10 mM Ca2+ ions. Considering the Ca2+ influence on the heterogeneous electron transfer a structural model of the immobilized polymers is proposed based on the strong chelating abilitiy of noncyclic PEG moieties.