Electrooxidation of insulin at silicon carbide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode

For the first time silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiC) was used for electrode modification and electrocatalytic oxidation of insulin. In comparison to bare glassy carbon (GC) electrode, the oxidation of insulin at GC electrode modified with SiC nanoparticles occurred at reduced overpotentials. The modified electrode was applied for insulin detection using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and flow injection analysis (FIA). Flow injection amperometric determination of insulin at this modified electrode yielded a calibration curve with the following characteristics; linear dynamic range up to 600 pM, sensitivity of 710 pA pM−1 cm−2 and detection limit of 3.3 pM. In addition interference effect of the electroactive existing species (uric acid, glucose, lactic acid, l-cysteine and cholesterol) was diminished and for ascorbic acid eliminated by covering the surface of modified electrode with nafion film. This electrode shows many advantages as an insulin sensor such as simple preparation method without using any specific electron transfer mediator or specific reagent, high sensitivity, excellent catalytic activity, short response time, long term stability and remarkable antifouling property toward insulin and its oxidation product. Sensitivity, detection limit and antifouling properties of this insulin sensor are better than all of the reports in the literature for insulin detection at physiological pH solutions.