Preview
Document Type
Undergraduate Research
Creation Date
Spring 4-8-2015
Department
Biology
Abstract
Ferrocene polymers have received considerable attention as redox mediators due to their well-behaved reversible oxidation and redox stability. To incorporation ferrocene into polymers for use as redox mediators several strategies have been utilized, such as, pendant to the polymer main chain, cross linked into the polymeric material, or as self-assembling monolayers. With each approach, ferrocene has been shown to be an effective mediator for electron transfer from the redox enzyme to the electrode substrate. In conjunction with ferrocene polymers, redox enzymes such as glucose oxidase, horseradish peroxidase, and NADH have been used.
In this research, we have focused on copolymers containing vinylferrocene and 4-vinylpyridinum for biological sensor applications. Chemically modified electrodes were prepared by solution casting these materials onto a platinum electrode for subsequent cyclic voltammetry studies using sodium pyridinium and the effects of alkyl chain length of the pyridinium on sensor performance. Use of these materials in biosensors for the detection of dopamine or serotonin will be presented.