Enhanced bioelectrocatalysis using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/polyaniline hybrid systems in thin-film and microrod structures associated with electrodes

The charge transport properties in composites consisting of pyrene sulfonic acid-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in polyaniline, PAn/SWCNTs, and polystyrene sulfonate-doped PAn, PAn/PSS, are compared in thin-film and microrods configurations. The PAn/SWCNTs and PAn/PSS microrods were prepared by the electropolymerization of the respective components in porous alumina membranes coated with a conductive gold support, followed by the dissolution of the membrane template. The charge transport upon the oxidation of the PAn/SWCNTs planar film or microrods structures is ca. 3.5-4.0-fold faster than upon the oxidation of the PAn/PSS planar film or microrods structures, respectively. The faster charge transport in the PAn/SWCNTs films and microrods is used to enhance the mediated bioelectrocatalyzed oxidation of glucose in the presence of glucose oxidase (GOx). The bioelectrocatalyzed oxidation of glucose in the presence of the PAn/SWCNTs in the planar film and microrods structures is ca. 2-fold and up to 6-fold (depending on the potential) enhanced as compared to the respective PAn/PSS configurations.