Electron-transfer mechanisms in amperometric biosensors

The function of amperometric biosensors is related to electron-transfer processes between the active site of an (immobilized) enzyme and an electrode surface which is poised to an appropriate working potential. Problems and specific features of architectures for amperometric biosensors using different electron-transfer pathways such as mediated electron transfer, electron-hopping in redox polymers, electron transfer using mediator-modified enzymes and carbon-paste electrodes, direct electron transfer by means of self-assembled monolayers or via conducting-polymer chains are discussed.