ИСТИНА

The homogeneous integration of different nanoobjects within man-made electrochemical devices is a crucial aspect when engineering (bio)analytical devices. Generally, integration efficiency of nanomaterials determines the quality of an analytical electrochemical device, its sensitivity, and eventually its market competitiveness. Furthermore, electronic conductivity of the overall ensemble can be ensured by preparing thin-film coatings, thereby allowing efficient electron transfer and facilitating electrode reactions. In particular, carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, etc.) have been widely incorporated to improve layer conductivity and increase the efficiency of electron exchange. These materials in general are highly hydrophobic, rendering it rather challenging to prepare stable dispersions for an easy and reproducible modification of electrode surfaces. It is therefore evident that a certain compatibilizer is required, which on the one hand ensures homogeneous distribution of the carbon nanomaterials in aqueous media or within thin-film composite materials and, on the other hand, can serve as a non-destructive matrix for the subsequent embedment of (bio)molecules. Both these challenges can be solved using amphiphilic polymers like poly(ionic liquid)s or diblock copolymers, the latter featuring one hydrophobic and one hydrophilic, often ionic (charged or chargeable), block. Thereby, the hydrophobic segment(s) of such amphiphilic polymers can adhere to the surface of carbon nanomaterials, while the hydrophilic moieties ensure their dispersability in aqueous media. The overall hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of the considered amphiphilic polymers can be fine-tuned and such materials thus represent a versatile platform for the fabrication of hybrid materials. This work reports examples of solubilization of carbon nanomaterials in aqueous media, using poly(ionic liquid)s or amphiphilic ionic/non-ionic diblock copolymers of different structure. Beneficial surface modification of electrodes by fine aqueous dispersions of carbon nanomaterials provides a considerable improvement of (bio)sensor performance. Examples of advanced direct electrochemical analysis of low molecular weight substances (drugs) and biomolecules (nucleic acids and hemoproteins) are considered. (PI.13, p. 124)