Chitosan-cross-linked osmium polymer composites as an efficient platform for electrochemical biosensors.

A new family of chitosan-cross-linked osmium polymer composites was prepared and its electrochemical properties were examined. The composites were prepared by quaternization of the poly(4-vinylpyridine) osmium bipyridyl polymer (PVP-Os) which was then cross-linked with chitosan, yielding PVP-Os/chitosan. Films made of the composites showed improved mass and electron transport owing to the porous and hydrophilic structure which is derived from the cross-links between the Os polymer and chitosan. The rate for glucose oxidation was enhanced four times when glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized on PVP-Os/chitosan compared immobilization on PVP-Os.