A glucose oxidase (GOd) bioelectrode exhibiting high performance, direct electron transfer (DET) has been prepared. Unprecedented redox peak current densities of 1 mA cm -2 were observed alongside a clear electrochemical response to glucose. This system shows potential as a low cost, 10 high performance enzymatic bioelectrode.Glucose oxidase (GOd; EC 1.1.3.4), a flavo-protein (molecular weight of ca. 160 kDa) contains two flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) redox centres located approximately 13 Å into the protein 15 structure 1 . Typically, electron transfer from the FAD site to the electrode surface is restricted by the protein structure and electrochemical mediators are often used to transport electrons from the FAD sites to the electrode surface on oxidation of glucose (mediated electron transfer, MET) 2 . Direct electron 20 transfer (DET) from the FAD redox centres of the enzyme to the electrode is facilitated by using advanced materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes 1,[3][4][5] . DET by enzymes employed in bioelectronic devices has recently gained worldwide attention, as there are many advantages with DET in biofuel cells and 25 biosensors (as opposed to MET), such as the ability to reduce the size, toxicity and loss of potential difference in these devices 6 . Enzyme immobilization is essential for high performance and stability. The use of natural biocompatible polymers, such as cellulose 5 and chitosan 7,8 , for the immobilisation of enzymes 30 onto electrode surfaces facilitates low cost and simple electrode preparation. Previous work has shown the combination of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and cellulose can provide a platform for DET of GOd 5 , and also provide electronically conductive pathways through the cellulose.
35In this study, 4 different methods of bioelectrode preparation were investigated with the aim of achieving improved DET with GOd and improved electrode temporal stability, using enzyme entrapment in a porous ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, EMIM-acetate) reconstituted cellulose layer that was 40 embedded with partially oxidised MWCNT 5 . MWCNT adsorbed onto the electrode surface increased electronic contact between the electrode and the enzyme whilst improving electrostatic interactions between the enzyme and MWCNT 9 . In method 1, an ionic liquid reconstituted cellulose/MWCNT layer was firstly applied to a glassy carbon (GC) electrode surface and followed by adsorption of GOd. The ionic liquid/cellulose/MWCNT matrix was also mixed with GOd and 60 applied to a GC electrode, giving the method 2 bioelectrode. For method 3, GOd was directly adsorbed onto a GC electrode and covered with an ionic liquid reconstituted cellulose/MWCNT layer, whereas in method 4, a GC electrode was covered with MWCNT prior to GOd adsorption and finally covered with an 65 ionic liquid reconstituted cellulose/MWCNT layer. The partially oxidised MWCNT were used to improve electronic connection between GOd and the GC electrode surface whilst attempting to improve bioelectrode sta...