Selective permeation of hydrogen peroxide through polyelectrolyte multilayer films and its use for amperometric biosensors

A platinum electrode was coated with polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films to prepare an amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor which can be used in the presence of possible interferences such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, and acetaminophen. The PEM films were prepared on the surface of a Pt disk electrode by an alternate deposition of polycation and polyanion from the aqueous solutions through electrostatic force of attraction. The Pt electrodes coated with a poly(allylamine)/poly(vinyl sulfate) or poly(allylamine)/poly(styrenesulfonate) film were used successfully for detecting H2O2 selectively in the presence of the possible interfering agents. It was suggested that H2O2 can diffuse into the PEM film smoothly while the ascorbic acid, uric acid, and acetaminophen cannot penetrate the film by a size exclusion mechanism. On the other hand, the electrodes coated with PEM films containing poly(ethyleneimine) or poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) were not useful for the selective determination of H2O2. The results were rationalized based on the different permeability of the films due to the different molecular density or packing in the PEM films. The PEM film-coated electrode was useful for constructing glucose biosensors by coupling with glucose oxidase.