Intrinsically Porous Polymer Protects Catalytic Gold Particles for Enzymeless Glucose Oxidation

• Published in: Electroanalysis (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 904 - 909
• Main Authors: Rong, Yuanyang, Malpass-Evans, Richard, Carta, Mariolino, McKeown, Neil B., Attard, Gary A., Marken, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.05.2014; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Catalysts; Electrocatalysis; Fuel cells; Glucose; Gold; Materials selection; Membranes; Microporosity; Nanostructure; Oxidation; Powder injection molding; Proteins; Sensors
• ISSN: 1040-0397; 1521-4109
• DOI: 10.1002/elan.201400085

The enzymeless glucose oxidation process readily occurs on nano‐gold electrocatalyst at pH 7, but it is highly susceptible to poisoning (competitive binding), for example from protein or chloride. Is it shown here that gold nanoparticle catalyst can be protected against poisoning by a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM‐EA‐TB with BET surface area 1027 m2 g−1). This PIM material when protonated, achieves a triple catalyst protection effect by (i) size selective repulsion of larger protein molecules (albumins) and (ii) membrane ion selection effects, and (iii) membrane ion activity effects. PIM materials allow “environmental control” to be introduced in electrocatalytic processes.