title: Synthesis of a functionalized polypyrrole coated electrotextile for use in biosensors.
abstract: An electrotextile with a biosensing focus composed of conductive polymer coated microfibers that contain functional attachment sites for biorecognition elements was developed. Experiments were conducted to select a compound with a pendant functional group for inclusion in the polymer, a fiber platform, and polymerization solvent. The effects of dopant inclusion and post-polymerization wash steps were also analyzed. Finally, the successful attachment of avidin, which was then used to capture biotin, to the electrotextile was achieved. The initial results show a nonwoven fiber matrix can be successfully coated in a conductive, functionalized polymer while still maintaining surface area and fiber durability. A polypropylene fiber platform with a conductive polypyrrole coating using iron (III) chloride as an oxidant, water as a solvent, and 5-sulfosalicylic acid as a dopant exhibited the best coating consistency, material durability, and lowest resistance. Biological attachment of avidin was achieved on the fibers through the inclusion of a carboxyl functional group via 3-thiopheneacetic acid in the monomer. The immobilized avidin was then successfully used to capture biotin. This was confirmed through the use of fluorescent quantum dots and confocal microscopy. A preliminary electrochemical experiment using avidin for biotin detection was conducted. This technology will be extremely useful in the formation of electrotextiles for use in biosensor systems.
authors.affiliation: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 524 S. Shaw Lane, 115 Farrall Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. andre.g.senecal.civ@mail.mil.
authors.forename: Shannon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: McGraw
authors.affiliation: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 524 S. Shaw Lane, 115 Farrall Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. alocilja@msu.edu.
authors.forename: Evangelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alocilja
authors.affiliation: Food Protection Team, US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Natick, MA 01760, USA. andre.g.senecal.civ@mail.mil.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Senecal
authors.affiliation: Macromolecular Sciences and Engineering Team, US Army NSRDEC, Natick, MA 01760, USA. kris.j.senecal.civ@mail.mil.
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Senecal