APPLICATIONS OF REDOX POLYMERS IN BIOSENSORS

Polymers containing covalently attached redox molecules can be highly effective electron transfer mediators for flavin adenine dinucleotide redox centers of many oxidases. Highly flexible siloxane and ethylene oxide polymers containing covalently attached ferrocene molecules are shown to be capable of mediating electron transfer between enzymes and an electrode. The construction and response of bienzyme cholesterol b iosensor, acetylcholine and glucose biosensor are described and discus sed. Our data showed that the flexibility, hydrophilicity of the polym er, the density of redox centers in the polymer matrices and the self- exchange reaction rate of the redox molecules control the efficiency o f the electron transfer mediation.