Modification of a Glassy Carbon Electrode with Diols for the Suppression of Electrode Fouling in Biological Fluids

Abstract

The surface of a glassy carbon (GC) electrode was modified covalently with ethyleneglycol, diethyleneglycol, 1, 2-propanediol, and 1, 3-propanediol by electrochemical oxidation in order to suppress the electrode fouling originating from non-speific adsorption of serum proteins. Human serum albumin (HSA) was adsorbed significantly on the surface of a bare GC electrode, which was monitored by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of Fe(CN)^4-₆/Fe(CN)^3-₆ ions. In contrast, the diol-modified GC electrodes were sccarcely fouled in HSA solution and even in human serum.The results were explained reasonably based on teh hydrophilic nature of the diol-modified GC surface.