Photochemical generation of ferrocene-based redox-polymer networks

A photochemical approach toward the generation of enzyme-containing redox polymer networks, which are the key material in enzymatic sensors and biofuel cells, is described. The approach is based on the incorporation of photo-reactive benzophenone groups into the redox polymers. The obtained polymers are then deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrodes and cross-linked by illumination with UV light at 365 nm. If this step is done in the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase, functional electrodes are obtained that yield electrical power upon addition of glucose. This work specifically addresses the question of electrode stability in buffer and demonstrates how slight variations in the chemistry of the redox polymer have a dramatic effect on the electrochemical performance of the electrodes. Different ferrocene-containing redox polymer networks are synthesized and their properties in physiological buffer are studied.