Quantification of the Interaction between Charged Guest Molecules and Chemisorbed Monothiolated β-Cyclodextrins

The quantification of small molecules in aqueous solution by surface bound supramolecular host molecules is an important goal in the research field of chemo- and biosensor development. In this paper we present an attempt to quantify the interaction of different charged guest molecules with chemisorbed monothiolated β-cyclodextrin monolayers by means of impedance spectroscopy in the presence of the redox couple [Fe(CN)(6)](3)(-)/[Fe(CN)(6)](4)(-). Self-assembled monolayers of mercaptopropane-N-mono-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin amide (MPA-CD) on gold surfaces were formed with coverage of 99-100%. The inclusion of charged guest molecules was detected by monitoring the changes in the charge-transfer resistance, which is sensitive to the surface charge density in terms of repulsion or attraction of the redox active ions. Adsorption of positively charged 1-adamantanamino hydrochloride (1-ADHC) led to a considerable increase in the charge-transfer resistance, whereas the inclusion of both negatively charged 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid (1-ADC) and 2-(p-toluidinyl)naphthalene-6-sulfonate (2,6-TNS) caused a decrease. Applying the Frumkin correction to obtain the surface charge density and the Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory to account for the electrochemical double layer, we were able to quantify the binding of the charged guest molecules in terms of binding isotherms. The isotherms display a distinct two step adsorption process probably owing to the presence of two energetically different binding sites on the surface. Complete reversibility of the binding process of the guest molecules could be demonstrated by the addition of β-cyclodextrin in solution, which allowed the reuse of the functionalized surfaces.