An amperometric biosensor using toluidine blue as an electron transfer mediator intercalated in α-zirconium phosphate-modified horseradish peroxidase immobilization matrix

A novel H₂O₂ biosensor was constructed employing α-zirconium phosphate as a new support substrate to hold an electron shuttle toluidine blue between a glassy carbon electrode and horseradish peroxidase. Toluidine blue was intercalated into α-zirconium phosphate-modified horseradish peroxidase immobilization matrix cross-linked on a glassy carbon electrode surface via bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde. This co-immobilization matrix of the mediator and the enzyme was formed from the α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP)-toluidine blue (TB) inclusion colloid in which horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was dissolved. Intercalation of TB in layered α-ZrP was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical measurements. TB immobilized in this way underwent a quasi-reversible electrochemical redox reaction at the electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric measurements demonstrated good stability and efficiently-shuttled electrons between HRP and the electrode. The sensor responded rapidly to H₂O₂ with a detection limit of 3.0 × 10^–7 mol/L.