Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin immobilized on gold nanoparticles in a hierarchically porous zeolite

Highly dispersed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were introduced into a hierarchically porous zeolite of the MFI type that contains mesopores and an inherently microporous structure. These represent a novel matrix for the immobilization of biomolecules. The composites were characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen sorption measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The crystallinity and morphology of the zeolite is not compromised by incorporating the AuNPs with their size of 3–20 nm. A sensor for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was fabricated by incorporating hemoglobin into the matrix and placing it on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. The resulting biosensor exhibits excellent bioelectrocatalytic capability for the reduction of H2O2. The amperometric response at −0.4 V linearly depends on H2O2 in the 1.0 μM to 18 mM concentration range. The detection limit is 0.8 μM (at an S/N of 3). Its good sensitivity, stability and reproducibility make the modified hierarchically porous zeolite a promising new matrix material for protein immobilization and the construction of biosensors.