Assembly and electroanalytical performance of Prussian blue/polypyrrole composite nanoparticles synthesized by the reverse micelle method.

We report on the characterization, assembly and electroanalytical performance of Prussian blue/polypyrrole (PBPPy) composite nanoparticles synthesized by the reverse micelle method. Scanning electron microscopy suggests the formation of nanosized PBPPy particles with diameters between 40 and 50 nm. Optical absorption confirms that the particles are composed of Prussian blue (PB) and polypyrrole. PB and PBPPy nanoparticles were anchored onto the surface of cysteine-modified Au electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry experiments show that PB- or PBPPy-modified electrodes exhibit intrinsic electrochemical properties and a high electrocatalytic activity towards H2O2. PBPPy-modified electrodes exhibit a higher sensitivity to H2O2 than PB-modified electrodes. A linear calibration curve in the concentration range 0.99 μM-8.26 mM H2O2 is constructed with a detection limit of 0.23 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Excellent stability is observed for PBPPy-composite-nanoparticle-modified electrodes even in a pH 6 phosphate buffer solution with a high H2O2 concentration (0.99 mM). Glutaraldehyde and [Formula: see text] were also employed to immobilize glucose oxidase for the development of PBPPy-based biosensors. The results show that PBPPy composite nanoparticles can be used to develop oxidase-based biosensors.