Optical Devices Constructed from Ferrocene-Modified Microgels for H2O2Sensing.
Ferrocene-modified poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels were synthesized, characterized, and used to construct optical devices (etalons). The response of the microgels and etalons to H2O2was investigated, and we show that both the microgel diameter and the optical properties of the etalons depend on the solution concentration of H2O2from 0.6 to 35 mM. This behavior is a direct result of the oxidation of ferrocene, which influences the microgel diameter. This was also demonstrated by electrochemical-mediated oxidation/reduction of ferrocene using cyclic voltammetry. We go on to show that these materials could be used to monitor H2O2that is generated from enzymatic reactions. Specifically, we show that the H2O2generated from the oxidation of glucose catalyzed by glucose oxidase could be quantified. Finally, the devices can be reused multiple times via a regeneration process. This investigation illustrates the versatility of the etalon system to detect species of broad relevance and how they could potentially be used to quantify products of biological reactions.
Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
Qiang Matthew
QM
Zhang
Physical Sciences Department, MacEwan University , Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada.
Darren
D
Berg
Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
Jiaqi
J
Duan
Physical Sciences Department, MacEwan University , Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada.
Samuel M
SM
Mugo
Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
Michael J
MJ
Serpe
H2O2 sensing; glucose sensing; microgels; optical devices; responsive polymer