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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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A Polyaniline-based Sensor of Nucleic Acids
Published on: November 1, 2016
Enzyme immobilization on Ag nanoparticles/polyaniline nanocomposites
Frank N Crespilho1, Rodrigo M Iost, Silmar A Travain
1Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil. frank.crespilho@ufabc.edu.br
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|May 12, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed an efficient enzymatic bioelectrochemical device by immobilizing urease onto electroactive nanostructured membranes. This novel electrode design significantly enhances urea hydrolysis detection and biocatalytic properties for improved enzymatic devices.
Area of Science:
- Bioelectrochemistry
- Enzyme Immobilization
- Nanomaterials
Background:
- Enzymatic bioelectrochemical devices require efficient enzyme immobilization strategies.
- Nanostructured materials offer unique properties for enhancing device performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient enzymatic bioelectrochemical device using urease immobilized on electroactive nanostructured membranes (ENMs).
- To investigate the electrochemical performance of modified electrodes for urea hydrolysis detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of electrodes by chemical deposition of polyaniline and drop-coating of polyvinyl alcohol with silver nanoparticles (PVA-AgNP) and urease.
- Electrochemical characterization using amperometric measurements.
- Investigation of urea hydrolysis via Michaelis-Menten kinetics.
Main Results:
- ITO/PAni/PVA-AgNP/urease electrodes showed significantly higher cathodic currents compared to electrodes without silver nanoparticles.
- The electrode architecture provided a favorable environment for urease, promoting efficient urea conversion.
- An apparent Michaelis constant (K(M)(app)) of 2.7 mmol L(-1) was determined.
Conclusions:
- The developed electrode architecture is advantageous for creating enzymatic devices with enhanced biocatalytic properties.
- The strategy offers a simple method for obtaining efficient enzymatic bioelectrochemical devices.
- The integration of polyaniline, silver nanoparticles, and urease on nanostructured membranes improves device performance.

