Immobilization of glucose oxidase with the blend of regenerated silk fibroin and poly(vinyl alcohol) and its application to a 1,1′- dimethylferrocene-mediating glucose sensor

The structure and properties of the blend of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were investigated. The two polymers in the blend are in the state of phase segregation. Infrared (IR) spectra indicate that the RSF in the blend maintains its intrinsic properties, thus, ethanol treatment can transfer silk I structure of RSF to silk II structure. The water absorption property and mechanical property of the blend are improved in comparison with those of RSF. The blend maintains the major merit of RSF, that is, it can immobilize glucose oxidase on the basis of the conformational transition from silk I structure to silk II structure. The properties of the immobilized enzyme are examined. Moreover, the second generation of glucose sensor based on the immobilized enzyme is fabricated and it has a variety of advantages including easy maintenance of enzyme, simplicity of construction, fast response time and high stability.     

Methylene green-mediated sensor highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide based on entrapment of horseradish peroxidase in composite membrane of regenerated silk fibroin and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Introduction The detection and quantitative determination of hydrogen peroxide play importantrole in several fields including biochemistry and environmental chemistry.A highlysensitive H202 sensor is useful to fabricate sensor for various substances by combiningit with hydrogen peroxide—producing oxidases.‘Although electrochemical detection ofH202 has been made via its oxidation or reduction at a variety of electrode materials,these electrodes are susceptible to the interference from electr…     

4-Ferrocenylphenol as an electron transfer mediator in PQQ-dependent alcohol and glucose dehydrogenase-catalyzed reactions

Enzyme electrodes containing pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) as a biological component in combination with 4-ferrocenylphenol (1) as an electron transfer mediator between PQQ and a carbon electrode were constructed and used for measurements of ethanol and d-glucose. Analysis of the current response of the carbon electrodes modified with 1 at different pH and potentials demonstrated that 1 participates in the bioelectrocatalytic oxidation of d-glucose or ethanol. The biosensors showed the highest response at pH 5.5 and the working potentials of 0.3 and 0.4 V (versus Ag|AgCl) for ADH and GDH, respectively. The electrocatalytic processes under such conditions at these electrodes are characterized by the apparent values of the Michaelis constants K_M^app of 7.1 and 13 mM and the maximal current density j_max 40 and 26 μA cm⁻² for ethanol and d-glucose, respectively. No electrocatalysis was found when glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger was used instead of GDH.     

Multilayer membranes via layer-by-layer deposition of organic polymer protected Prussian blue nanoparticles and glucose oxidase for glucose biosensing

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are now widely used for bioanalytical applications. In this work, a bilayer of poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) is consecutively adsorbed on 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid modified Au electrode surfaces, forming stable, ultrathin multilayer films. Subsequently, Prussian blue nanoparticles protected by PDDA (denoted as P-PB) and negatively charged glucose oxidase (GOx) are consecutively adsorbed onto the PSS-terminated bilayer. The growth of each of the P-PB/GOx bilayers is followed quantitatively using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and the electrochemical method. The P-PB nanoparticles can catalyze the electroreduction of hydrogen peroxide formed from enzymatic reaction at lower potential and inhibit the responses of interferents, such as ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). Performance of the multilayer films can be tailored by controlling the number of bilayers. Under optimal conditions, a linear range of 0.10 to 11.0 mM and a detection limit of 10 microM were achieved. The glucose biosensor has good stability and reproducibility.     

Fabrication and evaluation of molecularly imprinted regenerated cellulose composite membranes via atom transfer radical polymerization

A simple and effective method for surface molecularly imprinted composite membranes （MICMs） for artemisinin （Ars） based on regenerated cellulose membranes was first prepared through surface- initiated atom transfer radical polymerization （ATRP）, and the as-prepared MICMs were then evaluated as adsorbents for selective recognition and separation of Ars molecules. Batch rebinding studies were conducted to determine the specific adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and selective permeation performance. The adsorption capacity of MICMs toward Ars by the Langmuir isotherm model was 2.008 mgg-1, which was nearly 5.0 times higher than non-molecularly imprinted composite membranes （NICMs）. The kinetic property of MICMs was well-fitted by the pseudo-second-order rate equation. The selective permeation experiments were successfully investigated to prove the excellent selective permeation performance for Ars than the competitive analog （artemether）.     

Amperometric methylene blue-mediated sensor highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide based on a composite membrane of regenerated silk fibroin and poly-vinyl alcohol as immobilization matrix for horseradish peroxidase

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was effectively entrapped in a novel composite membrane of poly-vinyl alcohol and regenerated silk fibroin, and IR was employed to provide a useful insight into the structure of the composite membrane. A methylene bluemediated sensor highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide was constructed, which was based on the immobilization of HRP in the composite membrane. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric measurement were utilized to demonstrate the feasibility of electron communication between immobilized HRP and a glassy carbon electrode in the bioelectrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide via methylene blue. Performance and characteristics of the sensor were evaluated with regard to response time, detection limit, selectivity, and dependence on temperature and pH as well as operating and storage stability. The sensor possesses a variety of characteristics including high sensitivity, rapid response time and a low detection limit of 0.1 μmol/L.     

Amperometric methylene blue-mediated sensor highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide based on a composite membrane of regenerated silk fibroin and poly-vinyl alcohol as immobilization matrix for horseradish peroxidase

 Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was effectively entrapped in a novel composite membrane of poly-vinyl alcohol and regenerated silk fibroin, and IR was employed to provide a useful insight into the structure of the composite membrane. A methylene blue-mediated sensor highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide was constructed, which was based on the immobilization of HRP in the composite membrane. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric measurement were utilized to demonstrate the feasibility of electron communication between immobilized HRP and a glassy carbon electrode in the bioelectrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide via methylene blue. Performance and characteristics of the sensor were evaluated with regard to response time, detection limit, selectivity, and dependence on temperature and pH as well as operating and storage stability. The sensor possesses a variety of characteristics including high sensitivity, rapid response time and a low detection limit of 0.1 μmol/L. Received: 10 January 1996/Revised: 20 March 1996/Accepted: 25 March 1996     

Structure and compatibility of poly(vinyl alcohol)-silk fibroin (PVA/SA) blend films

The structure and compatibility of poly(vinyl alcohol)-silk fibroin (PVA/SF) blend films were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermomechanical (TMA) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis, x-ray diffractometry, and scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. DSC curves of PVA/SF blend films showed a major endothermic peak at 220°C, along with a peak at 280°C. These endotherms were assigned to the thermal decomposition of the ordered PVA elements and to the thermal degradation of silk fibroin, respectively. The PVA/SF blends behaved in a manner intermediate to the pure components, as suggested by both contraction expansion and sample weight retention properties recorded by TMA and TGA measurements. The IR absorption spectra of the blends were identified as purely a composite of the absorption bands characteristic of both PVA and SF pure polymers. The X-ray diffraction patterns of PVA/SF blends showed overlapping spacing due to PVA and SF. A dispersed phase formed by spherical particles of 3–7 μm diameter was observed by SEM and TEM. All these findings suggest that PVA and SF are incompatible. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structure and coordination properties of facilitated olefin transport membranes consisting of crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) and silver hexafluoroantimonate

The high selectivity of solid‐state crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (CPVA) membranes containing silver hexafluoroantimonate (AgSbF₆), with respect to olefin/paraffin mixtures, was previously reported. The structure and coordination properties of CPVA/AgSbF₆ complexes were investigated in this study with wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and theoretical ab initio calculations, and they were compared with those of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/AgSbF₆ complexes. Contrary to expectations, the measurements of the intersegmental d‐spacings and glass‐transition temperatures indicated that the chain mobility in the PVA/AgSbF₆ membranes was lower than that in the CPVA/AgSbF₆ membranes. The different extents of transient crosslinking in the two systems were attributed mostly to their different coordination structures; silver ions in PVA/AgSbF₆ were coordinated with hydroxyl oxygens located near the polymer main chains, whereas those in CPVA/AgSbF₆ were coordinated with aldehyde oxygens located far from the main chains. According to WAXS spectra, AgSbF₆ was completely dissolved in both PVA and CPVA, and this disrupted the crystallinity of the polymers. However, our DSC study showed that the silver ions dissolved in both polymer matrices recrystallized into silver oxide at elevated temperatures. The binding energy of Ag3d_5/2, as determined from XPS spectra, shifted to lower values with the addition of increasing amounts of the polymer matrix, indicating the increasing coordination of silver ions with polymer chains. The presence of various oxygen species with and without coordination to silver ions was confirmed from O1s XPS spectra of CPVA membranes containing silver ions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 621–628, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of bisulfonated poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene oxide composite membranes with improved proton exchange capabilities

Composite membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by solution-casting method to be used as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) in fuel cell (FC) applications. Bisulfonation was employed as a strategy to enhance the proton conductivity of these membranes. First, a direct sulfonation of the polymer matrix was accomplished by intra-sulfonation of the polymer matrix with propane sultone, followed by the inter-sulfonation of the polymer chains using sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) as a crosslinking agent. Furthermore, the addition of graphene oxide (GO) as inorganic filler was also evaluated to enhance the proton-conducting of the composite membranes. These membranes were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and tensile tests. Besides, the proton conductivity of these membranes in a fully hydrated state was also analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The effect of the intra- and inter-sulfonation of the polymer matrix on the structural, morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of the membranes were determined. Increasing the density of sulfonic acid groups in the membranes resulted in a trade-off between a better proton conductivity (improving from 0.26 to 1.00 mS/cm) and a decreased thermal and mechanical stability. In contrast, the incorporation of GO nanoparticles into the polymer matrix improved the thermal and mechanical stability of both bisulfonated composite membranes. The proton conductivity appreciably increased by the combination of bisulfonation and introduction of GO nanoparticles into the polymer matrix. The sPVA/30SSA/GO composite membrane exhibited a proton conductivity of 1.95 mS/cm at 25 °C. The combination of the GO nanoparticles with the chemical bisulfonation approach of PVA allows thus assembling promising proton exchange membrane candidates for fuel cell applications.     

Polyethylene-based nanocomposite: Structure and properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/organofunctionalized Mg-doped fluorapatite hybrid

We report here the production and characterization of polymer nanocomposites (NC)s containing nanoceramics of organofunctionalized Mg-doped fluorapatite (MDFA) in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. First, the MDFA materials were functionalized with N-trimellitylimido-L-leucine modifier through ultrasonic irradiation. The numerous experimental techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were applied to characterize the prepared materials. Thermal analysis of the obtained NCs showed an increase in thermal stability of the NCs when compared to the neat macromolecule.     

A study on optical limiting properties of Eosin-Y and Eriochrome Black-T dye-doped poly (vinyl alcohol) composite film

A poly (vinyl alcohol) PVA/Eriochrome Black-T (EBT) dye, and PVA/Eosin-Y (EY) dye composite film was prepared using a solution casting process. The dye-doped composite polymer films were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy. An optical band gap (E_g) of pure PVA reduced from 4.22?eV to 2.80?eV for PVA/EBT film and 2.14?eV for PVA/EY film respectively. This result indicates the occurrence of inter-molecular hydrogen bonding between the –OH functional group in PVA chains and sulfonate (EBT) and carboxyl group (EY) in dye molecules, respectively. Moreover, the experimental result of PVA/EBT and PVA/EY composite film showed the excellent properties of a large scale cut-off filter in the ultraviolet and visible range region.     

Improving the hydrophilic and antifouling properties of poly(vinyl chloride) membranes by atom transfer radical polymerization grafting of poly(ionic liquid) brushes

In this study, poly(1‐butyl‐3‐vinylimidazolium bromide) (PBVIm‐Br) was grafted onto the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane surface via a 2‐step atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reaction. Poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA) was grafted onto the membrane surface by aqueous ATRP reaction; then, BVIm‐Br was introduced onto the surface of the PHEMA‐modified PVC membrane through traditional ATRP reaction. The analysis of surface chemistry confirmed the successful grafting of PHEMA and PBVIm‐Br on PVC membrane surface, and the grafting density (GD) of PBVIm‐Br gradually increased as the grafting time was prolonged. The modified membrane exhibited a positive charge and significantly enhanced surface hydrophilicity. The static water contact angle of the membrane surface decreased from 92.3° to 51.6° as the GD of the PBVIm‐Br brushes increased. Filtration experiments indicated that the water flux of the modified membrane increased with increasing GD, and their recovered fluxes were more than twice than the original. In addition, the total fouling ratio of the membranes decreased from 89% in M0 to 67% in M5, and most of the fouling was reversible as the GD of PBVIm‐Br brushes increased. These results indicated that the positive charged poly(ionic liquid) brushes featuring hydrophilic properties would have potential applications in membrane separation.     

Optimization and characterization of electrospun chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers as a phenol adsorbent via response surface methodology

Fabrication and characterization of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) electrospun nanofibers for adsorption of phenol from water were investigated. The effects of voltage (15–30 kV), solution injection flow rate (0.5–1.5 ml/hr), distance of needle and collector (10–20 cm) and chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) ratio (25/75, 50/50, 75/25) were studied to obtain the optimum electrospinning conditions for the maximum adsorption capacity of phenol. Central composite design (CCD) was used to investigate and optimize the processing factors for production of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers from aqueous solutions. The nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Uniform beadless nanofibers with the minimum diameters of 3–11 nm were obtained at chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) ratio of 50/50, voltage of 22.5 kV, distance of 15 cm and injection flow rate of 1.99 ml hr^?1. Fourier transform infrared spectrum of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) exhibited the existence of relevant functional groups of both poly(vinyl alcohol) and chitosan in the blends. Results of CCD show that among all processing factors, rate of electrospinning will highly affect the nanofiber adsorption. The response surface quadratic order model presented correlation coefficient explaining 69.5% of the variability in the adsorption. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization of layered double hydroxide‐poly(methylmethacrylate) graft copolymers via activators regenerated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization and its effect on the performance of poly(lactic acid)

Layered double hydroxide‐poly(methylmethacrylate) (LDH‐PMMA) graft copolymers were prepared via activators regenerated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization. The results showed that the hydrophobicity of LDH‐PMMA was improved by the incorporation of hydrophilic groups. Moreover, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/LDH‐PMMA nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending to enhance the performances of PLA. The crystallization and mechanical properties of the PLA/LDH‐PMMA nanocomposites were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, tensile testing, and polarized optical microscopy, respectively. Results of mechanical testing showed that the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength of PLA/LDH‐PMMA nanocomposites were increased by 5.64%, 37.95%, and 49.70%, respectively, compared with PLA. The differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that LDH‐PMMA eliminated the cold crystallization of PLA matrix and improved the crystallinity of PLA by 37.26%. The polarized optical microscopy of PLA/LDH‐PMMA nanocomposites demonstrated that LDH‐PMMA increased the crystallization rate of PLA. It was also found that the rheological behaviors of the PLA nanocomposites were significantly enhanced. Based on these results, a new choice for modified LDHs was provided and used as a nucleating agent to improve the properties of PLA.     

Study of cryostructuring of polymer systems. 32. Morphology and physicochemical properties of composite poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogels filled with hydrophobic liquid microdroplets

Cryogenic treatment (freezing at −20°C for 12 h followed by defrosting at a rate of 0.03°C/min) of decane, dodecane, or tetradecane emulsions in a poly(vinyl alcohol) solution (80 g/l) is employed to prepare composite cryogels containing microdroplets of liquid hydrophobic fillers entrapped into a macroporous hydrogel matrix. The effects of the type of a hydrocarbon, the degree of filling, and the addition of a surfactant (decaethylene glycol cetyl ether) on the physicomechanical properties, heat endurance, and morphology of the composites are studied. It is shown that, an increase in the content of liquid hydrophobic fillers within some range of their volume fraction enhances the rigidity of corresponding cryogels. Incorporation of the nonionic surfactant into the initial emulsions results in a complex dependence of the rigidity of the resulting composite cryogels on surfactant concentration and variations in the morphology of pores in the gel phase. At the same time, the heat endurance of all examined composite cryogels weakly depends on the type and concentration of the hydrocarbon fillers, as well as the presence of surfactant additives.     

Study of cryostructuring of polymer systems. 33. Effect of rate of chilling aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions during their freezing on physicochemical properties and porous structure of resulting cryogels

Poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogels are obtained and investigated. The cryogels are prepared by freezing an initial polymer solution (100 g/L) at chilling rates of 1.85, 0.3, 0.03, or 0.003°C/min followed by defrosting the frozen (?20°C/12 h) preparations at heating rates of 0.3, 0.03, or 0.003°C/min. It is shown that a noticeable influence of the chilling rate on the rigidity and heat endurance of the gel matrix is observed at very slow regimes of chilling (on the order of thousandths of degree centigrade per minute). One of the reasons for a reduction in the rigidity of resulting cryogels and the fusion enthalpy of the nodes in their supramolecular networks is the formation of a homo-phase hydrogel during the long-term exposure of the concentrated polymer solution to low temperatures prior to the onset of ice crystallization. The effect of the regime of chilling the polymer solution being frozen on the porous structure of cryogels resulting from the thawing of the preparations is ambiguous due to the multifactor character of this effect; therefore, in many cases, well-defined structure-property correlations are not observed.