ISBN 9783843934800

978-3-8439-3480-0, Reihe Verfahrenstechnik

Sibylle Kachel
Water absorption and transport in protein-polymer mixtures for biosensor films

192 Seiten, Dissertation Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (2017), Softcover, A5

Zusammenfassung / Abstract

Biosensor test strips are widely used for monitoring the blood glucose level of diabetes patients. They are complex systems with an enzyme embedded in a matrix of different polymers and other additives. The stability of such sensor films during storage at high relative humidity represents a challenge. Absorption of moisture from the air leads to degradation of enzyme or mediators and thus interferes with electrochemical or optical signal transduction in the film. It is therefore of great importance to be able to reduce the water absorption of biosensor films by optimizing the matrix composition.

This work provides measurement data for the phase equilibrium and diffusion coefficients of water in protein-polymer mixtures and investigates, whether these properties of mixtures can be calculated from pure component data. For this purpose the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the polymers polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA) were employed as model materials. Different weighted models for the prediction of blend properties were evaluated and could facilitate the development of new sensor films in the future.