Modifications of poly(o-phenylenediamine) permselective layer on Pt-Ir for biosensor application in neurochemical monitoring

Reports that globular proteins could enhance the interference blocking ability ofthe PPD (poly(o-phenylenediamine) layer used as a permselective barrier in biosensordesign, prompted this study where a variety of modifying agents were incorporated into PPDduring its electrosynthesis on Pt-Ir electrodes. Trapped molecules, including fibrous proteinsand β-cyclodextrin, altered the polymer/modifier composite selectivity by affecting thesensitivity to both H2O2 (signal molecule in many enzyme-based biosensors) and thearchetypal interference species, ascorbic acid. A comparison of electrochemical properties ofPt and a Pt-Ir alloy suggests that the benefits of the latter, more rigid, metal can be exploitedin PPD-based biosensor design without significant loss of backward compatibility withstudies involving pure Pt.