Film Self-Assembly of Oppositely Charged Macromolecules Triggered by Electrochemistry through a Morphogenic Approach

Langmuir. 2015 Sep 22;31(37):10208-14. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b02749. Epub 2015 Sep 8.

Abstract

The development of new surface functionalization methods that are easy to use, versatile, and allow local deposition represents a real scientific challenge. Overcoming this challenge, we present here a one-pot process that consists in self-assembling, by electrochemistry on an electrode, films made of oppositely charged macromolecules. This method relies on a charge-shifting polyanion, dimethylmaleic-modified poly(allylamine) (PAHd), that undergoes hydrolysis at acidic pH, leading to an overall switching of its charge. When a mixture of the two polyanions, PAHd and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS), is placed in contact with an electrode, where the pH is decreased locally by electrochemistry, the transformation of PAHd into a polycation (PAH) leads to the continuous self-assembly of a nanometric PAH/PSS film by electrostatic interactions. The pH decrease is obtained by the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone, which produces protons locally over nanometric distances. Using a negatively charged enzyme, alkaline phosphatase (AP), instead of PSS, this one-pot process allows the creation of enzymatically active films. Under mild conditions, self-assembled PAH/AP films have an enzymatic activity which is adjustable simply by controlling the self-assembly time. The selective functionalization of microelectrode arrays by PAH/AP was achieved, opening the route toward miniaturized biosensors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allylamine / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Catalysis
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Electrodes
  • Polyamines / chemistry
  • Polyelectrolytes
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry

Substances

  • Polyamines
  • Polyelectrolytes
  • Polymers
  • Polystyrenes
  • polyanions
  • polycations
  • Allylamine
  • polystyrene sulfonic acid