Low-potential stable detection of β-NADH at sol–gel derived carbon composite electrodes

Sol–gel derived carbon composite electrodes, prepared from different non-silicate metal alkoxide precursors, offer a substantial decrease in the overvoltage of the NADH oxidation reaction (compared to ordinary carbon electrodes). Such promotion is attributed to acceleration of the proton-transfer step by the metal-oxide component of the composite. Passivation problems, accrued by accumulation of reaction products, are also greatly minimized. Both titania–, zirconia–sol–gel carbon composite electrodes thus offer a highly sensitive and stable anodic detection of NADH at +0.2 V. Greatly improved retention of the redox mediator Meldola Blue within the sol–gel network permits convenient measurements at NADH at −0.1 V. These improvements indicate great promise for the design of dehydrogenase-based amperometic biosensors. An intrinsic activation action by the metal-oxide component is also reported towards the oxidation of hydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid and catechol. Low-potential detection of NADH is also illustrated at microfabricated titania/carbon screen-printed electrodes.