Electrochemical Modification of Carbon Surfaces with Functional Polymers

Surface modification of carbon materials with biological molecules under ambient condition is desirable for construction of biosensor and bioelectronic devices. Some of the desirable factors for surface modification are (i) robust attachment of biomolecules for stable biosensor response, (ii) high surface coverage of biomolecules for good signal/noise ratio and wide dynamic range, and (iii) rapid modification under ambient condition for facile and scalable manufacturing.

A new method to electrochemically modify carbon electrodes using a benzothiadiazole-based conjugated polymer will be discussed. The method provides rapid modification of carbon materials with biomolecules, robustly attached to the surface through the polymer. The usefulness of the method will be demonstrated by construction of an electrochemical cholesterol biosensor. The biosensor exhibits amperometric detection of cholesterol in buffer and serum samples in presence of a soluble mediator. Details regarding the preparation of biomolecule-coupled polymer, surface modification and sensor performance will be discussed.