Preparation of ormosil and its applications in the immobilizing biomolecules

Biomolecules such as enzymes, antibodies, etc., are highly sensitive and specific in catalysis and recognition. These characteristics make them as potential recognition and catalytic agents in different fields. Attempts have been made to utilize their harness by immobilizing them in suitable matrices/supports. In recent years sol-gel technology has appeared as a greatly promising tool in entrapment of active biomolecules. The introduction of various organic functional groups, such as amino, glycidoxy, epoxy, hydroxyl, etc., into alkoxide monomers leads to organically modified sol-gel glasses (ormosil). The preparation of such organic/inorganic composites provides a means to produce silicate materials with continuously tunable chemical and physical properties by simply changing the precursors employed, their molar ratio, or both. Recently ormosils have been employed in multifarious applications in industrial and medical fields and show promising results in preserving native activity of biomolecules. This review article discusses about the basic chemistry, characterization, advances and biosensor applications of ormosil. The attractive features of ferrocene linked/entrapped ormosil are also incorporated. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.