Amperometric biosensors based on alumina nanoparticles-chitosan-horseradish peroxidase nanobiocomposites for the determination of phenolic compounds

A horseradish peroxidase (HRP) biosensor based on alumina (Al(2)O(3)) nanoparticles-chitosan (CHIT) nanocomposites was developed for the detection of phenolic compounds. UV-Vis spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that HRP retained its original structure on the Al(2)O(3)/CHIT film. The surface morphologies of the composite films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were used to study the proposed electrochemical biosensor. Optimization of the experimental parameters was performed with regard to pH, applied electrode potential and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The linear range, sensitivity and detection limit of the biosensor were investigated for eight phenolic compounds. In particular, the linearity of the biosensor for the detection of hydroquinone was obtained from 5 × 10(-9) M to 7 × 10(-5) M with a detection limit of 1 nM (based on the S/N = 3). The optimized biosensor for hydroquinone determination displayed a high sensitivity of 518.4 nA μM(-1) with a response time of ～5 s.