CONTEXT

Biosensors are relevant analytical systems for improving people’s health.

Electrochemical biosensors are specific tools comprising immobilized ligand on the surface of electrodes. There is still a need for specific materials which could enhance the performance of these electrodes. The inventors describe a new kind of carbon-based material intended to be used for this purpose.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a porous electrochemical electrode made up of a solid cellular material provided in the form of a semi-graphitised carbon monolith comprising a hierarchised porous network free of mesopores and including macropores with a tunable mean dimension dA of 1 [mu]m to 100 [mu]m, and micropores with a mean dimension dI of 0.5 nm to 2 nm, said macropores and micropores being interconnected. In said electrode, the macropores contain at least one electroactive species in direct contact with the semi-graphitised carbon that makes up the surface of the macropores. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such an electrode through a rational design as well as to the use thereof as a biosensor or for manufacturing a biopile.

BENEFITS

We have shown that this new porous materials was more efficient for the oxidation of glucose and the reduction of O₂, either  in Direct electron transfer (DET) or in Mediated electron transfer (MET), than any other porous materials.

Flexer V, Brun N, Backov R, Mano N (2010) Designing highly efficient enzyme-based carbonaceous foams electrodes for biofuel cells. Energy Environ. Sci. 3: 1302-1306. Cover article
Flexer V, Brun N, Backov R, Mano N (2011) Porous Mediator-free Enzyme Carbonaceous Electrodes Obtained Through  Integrative Chemistry for Biofuel Cells. Energy Environ. Sci. 4(6): 2097-2106. Cover article

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

The electrodes of this invention could be used for manufactoring the biopiles, biosensors but also to any
devices that necessitates a high specific surface.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

We already demonstrated the concept and the material is available for testing.