Abstract: The biosensor involves a specially designed surface which can be optically coupled to a Surface Plasmon Resonance spectrometer. The key components of the biosensor are a bimetallic layer, a self assembled monolayer of chemicals and a layer of biomolecules such as special antibodies. The innovative bimetallic layer combines the sensitivity of silver metal and durability of gold and thus make it an ideal biosensor layer not only for a low volatility gas phase detection but also for a liquid phase detection. The successful application of the biosensor in high explosive substance detection proves that the biosensor is a sensitive and highly specific device for security and anti-terrorism applications, when it is combined with a Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscope.

Abstract: An electrode that has a film adsorbed to its surface by reductive electropolymerization of (vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 Cl (4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine tricarbonylchlororhenium(I)) or its acetonitrile analogue, [(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 (MeCN)].sup.+ (4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine tricarbonylacetonitrile rhenium (I)). The poly(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 Cl or poly[(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 (MeCN)].sup.+ adsorbed onto the electrode, acts as a catalyst for CO.sub.2 reduction to CO. Stability and the reactivity of the polymer film may be increased by co-reductive electropolymerization of either of the aforesaid Re complexes with [(bpy).sub.2 Ru(vpy).sub.2.sup.2+ (bis(4-vinyl-pyridine)bis(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium (II)) (vpy is 4-vinylpyridine). A bilayer film assembly consisting of poly-[(bpy).sub.2 Ru(vpy).sub.2 ].sup.2+ as an inner film and the aforementioned copolymer of Ru/Re yields even greater reactivity to CO.sub.2.A method of forming a polymeric film on an electrode.A method of reducing CO.sub.

Abstract: An electrode that has a film adsorbed to its surface by reductive electropolymerization of (vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 Cl (4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine tricarbonylchlororhenium(I)) or its acetonitrile analogue, [(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 (MeCN)].sup.+ (4-vinyl-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine tricarbonylacetonitrile rhenium (I)). The poly (vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 Cl or poly-[(vbpy)Re(CO).sub.3 (MeCN)].sup.+ adsorbed onto the electrode, acts as a catalyst for CO.sub.2 reduction to CO. Stability and the reactivity of the polymer film may be increased by co-reductive electropolymeriaztion of either of the aforesaid Re complexes with [(bpy).sub.2 Ru(vpy).sub.2.sup.2+ ](bis(4-vinyl-pyridine)bis(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium (II)) (vpy is 4-vinylpyridine). A bilayer film assembly consisting of poly-[(bpy).sub.2 Ru(vpy).sub.2 ].sup.2+ as an inner film and the aforementioned copolymer of Ru/Re yields even greater reactivity to CO.sub.2.A method of forming a polymeric film on an electrode.A method of reducing CO.sub.