Surface modification methods for electrochemical biosensors

Development of electrochemical biosensors with enhanced performance has gained increasing importance owing to their wide range of applications in various fields ranging from medical diagnostics and healthcare, environmental monitoring, and industrial manufacturing to defense and security. Major challenges associated with the development of biosensors are the attainment of high sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. In addition, the sensor surface should be stable for a longer period, and the interference from other analytes should be of the minimum. All these factors depend on the availability and reactivity of the immobilized biorecognition element, and hence suitable surface modification of the electrode is critical. Surface modifications lead to proper immobilization of biorecognition element, improvement of the signal to noise ratio, enhanced sensitivity, and prevention of nonspecific adsorption. Various surface modification technologies and immobilization strategies used in the electrochemical biosensors are explained in this chapter.