Saccharid Sensitive Polyelectrolyte for Charge-based Sensing with a Solid State Nanopore
Engineering
Chem 195A, Chem 195-B, Chem 195-C
This work presents the synthesis and characterization of a sugar sensitive polymer (m-PVP-BA) which was incorporated into a nanopore, a quartz conical channel with an opening of 20-40 nm. Combining m-PVP-BA with a solid state pore allowed for the development of a chemosensor used for the detection of monosaccharides. The polymer is based on poly(4-vinylpyridne), and was functionalized with a non-enzymatic sugar receptor known as phenyl boronic acid. Using spectrophotometry, the affinity for the polymer with several dyes was measured in solution. This made it possible to quantify two different variables that affected the affinity of the m-PVP-BA to a substrate: reversible covalent bonds between boronic acid and diols, and electrostatic interactions. By exploiting the properties of the polymer we were capable of designing a sensor that relied on charge-based sensing to induce a change in electrical current. The sensor provided a real time reversible signal that was capable of detecting concentration of fructose lower than 700 µM.
