CHARACTERIZATION OF A FERROCENE CONTAINING POLYACRYLAMIDE-BASED REDOX GEL FOR BIOSENSOR USE

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-beta-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, H2O2, 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 quasireversible 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.