Hydrophilic PVI-HEA-Based Osmium Redox Polymers for Enhanced Electrochemical Glucose Sensing

Hydrophilic osmium(Os)-based redox polymers were designed as electron-transfer mediators for fungal flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH)-based glucose sensors. Poly(vinylimidazole-co-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PVI-HEA) copolymers with different HEA compositions were synthesized and coordinated with Os(dmo-bpy)2Cl2 to prepare PVI-HEA-Os(dmo-bpy)2Cl2 redox mediators. The synthesized mediator systems were characterized using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results confirmed the successful formation of Os redox polymer structures and their immobilization on the electrode surface. The electrochemical behavior and glucose sensing performance strongly depended on the PVI-HEA composition. Among the compositions tested, PVI-HEA(3.5:1)-Os(dmo-bpy)2Cl2 showed the strongest redox current response, stable aqueous dispersion behavior, and relatively low interfacial charge-transfer resistance. Glucose-sensing measurements using FAD-GDH/mediator-modified electrodes showed linear current responses over the glucose concentration range of 1.25–20 mM. The PVI-HEA(3.5:1)-Os(dmo-bpy)2Cl2-based electrode showed the highest sensitivity of 16.18 μA cm−2 mM−1, which was significantly higher than those observed at lower-HEA compositions. The optimized mediator system also showed selective glucose responses against representative biological interferents, including ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, and serotonin. Stable catalytic current responses were maintained under Human Plasma-Like Medium conditions, suggesting improved matrix tolerance compared to conventional PVI-based Os redox polymers. The improved sensing performance was attributed to the hydrophilic polymer environment introduced by the HEA units, which may facilitate favorable interfacial charge-transfer behavior within the enzyme–mediator layer. The results show that the hydrophilic copolymer composition plays an important role in the electrochemical behavior and glucose sensing performance of Os redox polymer mediators. The proposed PVI-HEA-Os(dmo-bpy)2Cl2 system may be a promising candidate for future enzymatic glucose sensing and continuous glucose monitoring-related applications.