Development of catalytic platinum-binder electrodes for glucose determination

Compact catalytic platinum-binder glucose sensors were developed, provided for the artificial beta-cell. These consist of three electrodes: the working electrode, a 0.5 mm diameter glass-sheathed platinum wire, covered with a mixture of platinum black and binder (PMMA, PVC) at the face, the reference electrode and the rejuvenating or counter electrode. Measurements were carried out either by a non-equilibrium method within the anodic range or by determination of the current at the anodically directed peak during the cathodic scan. In the first case a periodical switching between rejuvenating and measuring potential takes place and, in the second case, the whole voltammogram is cycled between +1.2 V and -1.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). For measurements in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 degrees C the calibration curves exhibit an approximately linear dependence up to a glucose concentration of 30 mM; the sensitivity amounts to 0.3 microA mM-1 and the response times t90% are between 6 and 10 min. A urea concentration of 2.5 mM causes a decrease of the non-equilibrium current of 11.5%-3.0%, and a mixture of amino acids causes a current rise of 11.4%-2.7% with increasing glucose concentration. During the cathodic scan the amino acids affect the peak current negligibly, and the influence of urea reaches saturation for concentrations higher than 6.7 mM. Preliminary in vivo measurements permit the conclusions that after appropriate pretreatment the catalytic glucose sensors can be used for short-time blood glucose monitoring.