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Abstract

The change in electrical resistance of an electroactive polymer such as polypyrrole, polyaniline or polythiophene when it reacts with an analyte is used to measure the analyte. The open circuit electrical potential of an electroactive polymer film is measured and an electrical potential is applied to the polymer film relative to a reference electrode to oxidize or reduce the polymer film to provide an initial reduced or oxidized state. Then the electrical resistance of the polymer film is measured in the absence of an analyte and the electrical resistance is again measured while the polymer film reacts with the analyte. The analyte concentration is determined from the rte and total amount of electrical resistance change. The electrical resistance is preferably measured by applying a to the polymer film a discontinuous non-perturbating voltage pulse, removing the voltage for a period, making a measurement of open circuit potential and applying a subsequent discontinuous nonperturbating voltage pulse relative to the open-circuit potential. In measuring glucose as the analyte, reaction of glucose with glucose oxidase contained by the polymer film produces hydrogen peroxide which oxidizes the polymer film and makes it more conductive.

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First Claim