Abstract
Gas-Permeable polymeric membranes containing carboxyl groups which are suitable for enzyme immobilization were investigated in order to use them as gas electrode membranes in biosensors. Carboxylated polyurethane (CPU) was synthesized via a reaciton between 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid as a chain extender and prepolymers prepared from polycarprolactone(Mn=2,000) and 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocynate. It was difficult to prepared membranes from the pure CPU because of its high elasticity and cohesion. However, transparent free-standing membranes were easily prepared from the blend solution of CPU and carboxylated poly(vinyl chloride)(CPVC) in tetrahydrofuran. Both elasticity and cohesion of the CPU/CPVC membranes were decreased with increasing the content of CPVC. DSC experiment suggests that CPU and CPVC may be well mixed. Permeability coefficients for O₂and CO₂(Po₂and Pco₂)in the membranes increased as the proportion of CPU increased. The addition of dioxtyl phthalate(DOP), a plasticizer, significantly enhanced the Po₂and Pco₂which were 4,4 and 30 barrer, respectively, in the CPU/CPVC(80/20 wt/wt) membranes containing 20% of DOP at 25℃ and 100psi. Thus this type of membranes may have a potential for the use as gas electrode membranes in biosensors.