Plasma-treated polyethylene as electrochemical mediator for enzymatic glucose sensors: Toward bifunctional glucose and dopamine sensors

Abstract

The application of inert and insulating low density polyethylene (LDPE) in electrochemical detection is null. However, in a recent study it was found that reactive species formed onto the surface of plasma-treated LDPE and other polymers promote the electrocatalytic oxidation of dopamine. In this work, we examine the role of plasma-treated LDPE as mediator in enzymatic glucose biosensors based on Glucose oxidase and glass carbon substrate. Results indicate that plasma-induced changes facilitate the electrocommunication between the enzyme and the substrate. The chronoamperometric response of these sensors prove their bifunctionality since the oxidation of glucose to gluconolactone, which is catalyzed by the GOx, coexists with the oxidation of dopamine that is electrocatalytized by the plasma activated LDPE surface.