Author

Yingying Li

Date of Award

12-2010

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Department

Materials Science and Engineering

Supervisor

Igor Zhitomirsky

Language

English

Abstract

New electrochemical deposition methods have been developed for the fabrication of advanced composite coatings for biosensors applications. The methods are based on electrodeposition of biopolymers, such as cathodic electrodeposition of chitosan, anodic electrodeposition of alginic acid and hyaluronic acid. Another approach is based on electrolytic deposition and electrophoretic deposition of ceramic materials and chitosan. Electrochemical strategies have been discovered for the electrochemical co-deposition of polymers with enzymes, such as glucose oxidase and hemoglobin. Glucose oxidase was used as a model enzyme for the development of new electrochemical strategies for the fabrication of composite coatings for applications in biosensors. New strategies have been further utilized for the fabrication of novel composites containing hemoglobin. It was found that co-deposition of biopolymers and enzymes from the solutions resulted in the fabrication of composite materials which can keep the activity of the enzymes.

Electrochemical methods have been developed for the deposition of composite coatings containing ceramic materials (ZnO) in the matrix of chitosan. The composite coatings can be utilized for the immobilization of enzymes by the electrostatic attraction. The composition and microstructure of the composite coatings were investigated. The composition of these nanocomposite coatings can be varied by variation of bath composition for electrodeposition. The deposition yield was studied at various deposition conditions. Electrochemical deposition mechanisms have been investigated and discussed. Obtained results pave the way for the fabrication of novel coatings for immobilization of enzymes and for application in advanced biosensors.

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