A reusable device for electrochemical applications of hydrogel supported black lipid membranes

摘要: Black lipid membranes (BLMs) are significant in studies of membrane transport, incorporated proteins/ion transporters, and hence construction biosensor devices. Although BLMs provide an accepted mimic cellular membranes, they inherently fragile. Techniques developed to stabilize them, such as hydrogel supports. In this paper, we present a reusable device for on supported (hs) BLMs. These formed across ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) aperture array by the hydrogel, which is during situ polymerization covalently “sandwiched” between ETFE substrate gold electrode microchip, thus allowing direct electrochemical with integrated working electrodes. Using impedance spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray photoelectron contact angle measurements, demonstrate optimized chemical modifications microchips plasma modification arrays facilitating covalent “sandwiching” hydrogel. Both fluorescence microscopy EIS were used induced spontaneous thinning deposited solution, leading formation stabilized hsBLMs average 10 min. The determined specific capacitance resistance shown vary range 0.31–0.49 μF/cm2 45–65 kΩ cm2, respectively, corresponding partially solvent containing life time 60–80 min. characterized hsBLM devised equivalent circuit models lead schematic model illustrate molecule distribution hydrogel-supported apertures. functionality detection sensitivity platform verified monitoring effect ion transporter valinomycin.