The Incorporation of Bovine Serum Albumin into a Polypyrrole Film in One Simple Step

Abstract

The model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), was successfully incorporated into a polypyrrole film in one simple electropolymerisation step. The presence of BSA within the polymer was established using scanning electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis; additionally, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedence spectroscopy were utilised to investigate differences between the polymer films in the presence and absence of the BSA and to determine the capacitance of the polymers. It was found that the presence of BSA within polypyrrole reduces the electroactivity of the polymer and has a fibrous surface morphology compared to the characteristic cauliflower morphology of PPy-Cl.