Application of functional PPV-derivatives prepared via the sulfinyl precursor route as transducers in impedimetric biosensors

Abstract

Conjugated polymers exibit attractive properties for application in biosensors. Especially PPV-type polymers are promising transducer materials. However, sufficiently high purity and low defect levels, which are essential for sensor applications, are difficult to achieve. A promising precursor route, the so-called sulfinyl route, is capable of solving this problem. Four functionalized PPV-type(co)polymers have been obtained via this precursor route and theirinteraction with biomolecules has been investigated. In a prototype impedemetric biosensor, antibody-antigen binding on these polymer films has been readily observed. The sensor characteristics are dependent on the functional groups of the polymers. On the relatively apolar MDMO PPV antibodies can be physically adsorbed and binding with their antigens is possible (sensor sensitivity below 10pmol). On some solar PPV-derivatives no adsorption of IgGs takes place, whereas on others IgGs can be covalently bonded. Hence, incorporation of appropriate side chains renders PPV-type polymers suitable for application in biosensors.