Amperometric phenol biosensor based on covalent immobilization of tyrosinase on Au nanoparticle modified screen printed carbon electrodes

A highly selective and sensitive amperometric biosensor for the detection of phenol was developed based on a platform where Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) are electrodeposited onto a disposable screen printed carbon electrode and tyrosinase is then covalently immobilized on the AuNP's using alkanethiol and cross-linker molecules. The electrocatalytic responses of the tyrosinase modified biosensor for the detection of phenol were measured using both cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Temperature, buffer pH and the amount of tyrosinase immobilized on the electrode surface were also optimized for phenol sensing. A high sensitivity of 15.7 μA ppm^-1, a low detectable phenol concentration of 47 ppb alongside a linear response from 47 ppb to 15 ppm was achieved using square wave voltammetry in addition to good selectivity. As a demonstration, the biosensor was applied to determine phenol concentrations in regional water samples from S. Korea.