Monolayer anthracene and anthraquinone modified electrodes as platforms for Trametes hirsuta laccase immobilisation

Surface modification techniques are essential to the construction of enzyme based elements of biofuel cells and biosensors. In this article we report on the preparation and characterisation of modified carbon electrodes which were used as supports for the immobilisation of laccase from Trametes hirsuta. The electrodes were electrochemically modified with diamine or diazonium linkers followed by attachment of either anthracene or anthraquinone head groups using solid phase chemical methodology. These well defined surfaces were found to effectively bind laccase and to provide direct electrical contact to the enzyme active site, as evidenced by XPS, EIS and voltammetry, respectively. The influence of the type of linker and head group on enzyme binding and bioelectrocatalytic activity are evaluated.