Issue 17, 2014

A facile biofunctionalisation route for solution processable conducting polymer devices

Abstract

For the majority of biosensors or biomedical devices, immobilization of the biorecognition element is a critical step for device function. To achieve longer lifetime devices and controllable functionalization, covalent immobilisation techniques are preferred over passive adhesion and electrostatic interactions. The rapidly emerging field of organic bioelectronics uses conducting polymers (or small molecules) as the active materials for transduction of the biological signal to an electronic one. While a number of techniques have been utilized to entrap or functionalize conducting polymers deposited by electro- or vapor phase polymerization, covalent functionalization of solution processed films, essential for realizing low cost or high throughput fabrication, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study we show a versatile biofunctionalization technique for the solution processable conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate) PEDOT:PSS, which is a commercially available material, and has a record high conductivity. Addition of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) into the solution with PEDOT:PSS provides a handle for subsequent silanization with a well-characterised silane reagent, allowing for covalent linkage of biological moieties onto PEDOT:PSS films. We show homogenous and large-scale biofunctionalization with polypeptides and proteins, as well as maintenance of the biological functionalities of the proteins. In addition, no deleterious effects are noted on the electronic or ionic transport properties of the conducting polymer films due to incorporation of the PVA.

Graphical abstract: A facile biofunctionalisation route for solution processable conducting polymer devices

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 10 2013
Accepted
20 11 2013
First published
21 11 2013

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014,2, 2537-2545

Author version available

A facile biofunctionalisation route for solution processable conducting polymer devices

X. Strakosas, M. Sessolo, A. Hama, J. Rivnay, E. Stavrinidou, G. G. Malliaras and R. M. Owens, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014, 2, 2537 DOI: 10.1039/C3TB21491E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements