Novel biosensing platform based on self-assembled supramolecular hydrogel

The supramolecular hydrogel self-assembled from α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer was used for the first time as a biosensing platform by the in-situ incorporation of horseradish peroxidase and polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles. It was found that the used triblock copolymer could disperse well PANI nanoparticles in aqueous system and then interact with α-CD in the presence of horseradish peroxidase for the formation of supramolecular hydrogel composite. The content of PANI nanoparticles was found to affect the gelation time and gel strength. The circular dichroism analyses showed that the entrapped horseradish peroxidase could retain its native conformation. By electrochemical experiments, the incorporated PANI nanoparticles were confirmed to improve the current response and enzymatic activity, and the fabricated biosensor was found to provide a fast amperometric response to hydrogen peroxide.