112j Development of Poly(Ethylenimine) Based Redox Polymers for Biosensor Devices

Stephen A. Merchant1, Daniel T. Glatzhofer2, and David W. Schmidtke1. (1) Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 100 East Boyd, Norman, OK 73019, (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019

Linear and branched poly(ethylenimine) based redox polymers have been synthesized by covalently attaching ferrocene to the amine groups of each polymer. The polymers have been crosslinked and characterized for the purpose of building amperometric biosensors. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies indicate that the electrochemical response of the redox hydrogel is dependent upon pH and electrolyte species. Gel swelling experiments show that the redox hydrogel is highly swollen at low pH and collapses at high pH. Both polymers exhibit electrical communication with glucose oxidase producing catalytic current densities ranging from 300-500 mA/cm2.