Modification of a glassy carbon electrode with diols for the suppression of electrode fouling in biological fluids

The surface of a glassy carbon (GC) electrode was modified covalently with ethyleneglycol, diethyleneglycol, 1,2-propanediol, and 1,3-propanediol by electrochemical oxidation in order to suppress the electrode fouling originating from non-specific adsorption of serum proteins. Human serum albumin (HSA) was adsorbed significantly on the surface of a bare GC electrode, which was monitored by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of Fe(CN)^4-₆/Fe(CN)^3-₆ ions. In contrast, the diol-modified GC electrodes were scarcely fouled in HSA solution and even in human serum. The results were explained reasonably based on the hydrophilic nature of the diol-modified GC surface.