A novel non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on Cu nanoparticle modified graphene sheets electrode

Nonenzymatic Wearable Sensor for Electrochemical Analysis of Perspiration Glucose

We report a nonenzymatic wearable sensor for electrochemical analysis of perspiration glucose. Multipotential steps are applied on a Au electrode, including a high negative pretreatment potential step for proton reduction which produces a localized alkaline condition, a moderate potential step for electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose under the alkaline condition, and a positive potential step to clean and reactivate the electrode surface for the next detection. Fluorocarbon-based materials were coated on the Au electrode for improving the selectivity and robustness of the sensor. A fully integrated wristband is developed for continuous real-time monitoring of perspiration glucose during physical activities, and uploading the test result to a smartphone app via Bluetooth.

Copper Nanoparticle and Nitrogen Doped Graphite Oxide Based Biosensor for the Sensitive Determination of Glucose

Copper nanoparticles with the diameter of 50 ± 20 nm decorated nitrogen doped graphite oxide (NGO) have been prepared through a simple single step carbonization method using copper metal-organic framework (MOF), [Cu₂(BDC)₂(DABCO)] (where BDC is 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, and DABCO is 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) as precursor. The surface morphology, porosity, surface area and elemental composition of CuNPs/NGO were characterized by various techniques. The as-synthesized CuNPs/NGO nanomaterials were coated on commercially available disposable screen-printed carbon electrode for the sensitive determination of glucose. We find that the modified electrode can detect glucose between 1 μM and 1803 μM (linear range) with good sensitivity (2500 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²). Our glucose sensor also possesses low limits of detection (0.44 μM) towards glucose determination. The highly selective nature of the fabricated electrode was clearly visible from the selectivity studies. The practicability of CuNPs/NGO modified electrode has been validated in the human serum samples. The storage stability along with better repeatability and reproducibility results additionally substantiate the superior electrocatalytic activity of our constructed sensor towards glucose.

Self-Assembly of Graphene-Encapsulated Cu Composites for Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensing

Cu has recently received great interest as a potential candidate for glucose sensing to overcome the problems with noble metals. In this work, reduced graphene oxide-encapsulated Cu nanoparticles (Cu@RGO) have been prepared via an electrostatic self-assembly method. This core/shell composites were found to be more stable than conventional Cu-decorated graphene composites and bare copper nanoparticles in an air atmosphere because the graphene shell can effectively protect the Cu nanoparticles from oxidation. In addition, the obtained Cu@RGO composites also showed an outstanding electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation with a wide linear detection range of 1 μM to 2 mM, low detection limit of 0.34 μM (S/N = 3), and a sensitivity of 150 μA mM-1 cm-2. Moreover, Cu@RGO composites exhibited a satisfactory reproducibility, selectivity, and long effective performance. These excellent properties indicated that Cu@RGO nanoparticles have great potential application in glucose detection.

Fabrication of Stretchable Copper Coated Carbon Nanotube Conductor for Non-Enzymatic Glucose Detection Electrode with Low Detection Limit and Selectivity

The increasing demand for wearable glucose sensing has stimulated growing interest in stretchable electrodes. The development of the electrode materials having large stretchability, low detection limit, and good selectivity is the key component for constructing high performance wearable glucose sensors. In this work, we presented fabrication of stretchable conductor based on the copper coated carbon nanotube sheath-core fiber, and its application as non-enzymatic electrode for glucose detection with high stretchability, low detection limit, and selectivity. The sheath-core fiber was fabricated by coating copper coated carbon nanotube on a pre-stretched rubber fiber core followed by release of pre-stretch, which had a hierarchically buckled structure. It showed a small resistance change as low as 27% as strain increasing from 0% to 500% strain, and a low resistance of 0.4 Ω·cm-1 at strain of 500%. This electrode showed linear glucose concentration detection in the range between 0.05 mM and 5 mM and good selectivity against sucrose, lactic acid, uric acid, acrylic acid in phosphate buffer saline solution, and showed stable signal in high salt concentration. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.05 mM, for the range of 0.05⁻5 mM, the sensitivity is 46 mA·M-1. This electrode can withstand large strain of up to 60% with negligible influence on its performance.

Twinned copper nanoparticles modulated with electrochemical deposition for in situ SERS monitoring

The SERS response of the Cu deposits depends on the deposition time and reaches its maximum value at about 150 s because of the formation of peanut-like copper particles.

Electrodeposition of Ni–Mo–rGO composite electrodes for efficient hydrogen production in an alkaline medium

Enhanced performance of Ni–Mo alloy coatings due to the incorporation of rGO into the alloy matrixviaan electrodeposition method.

Self-supported Ni nanoparticles embedded on nitrogen-doped carbon derived from nickel polyphthalocyanine for high-performance non-enzymatic glucose detection

Ni nanoparticles self-supported on N-doped carbon derived from nickel-polyphthalocyanine exhibit a high sensitivity and long-term reusability for glucose detection.

Monolithic copper selenide submicron particulate film/copper foam anode catalyst for ultrasensitive electrochemical glucose sensing in human blood serum

A copper selenide submicron particulate film on Cu foam, synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process, shows superior glucose sensing performance.

The influence of copper addition on the electrical conductivity and charge transfer resistance of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)

The possible explanations on how the existence of copper, CuO, or Cu₂O influences the electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of rGO.

Chemical sensing with 2D materials

During the last decade, two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have attracted great attention due to their unique chemical and physical properties, which make them appealing platforms for diverse applications in sensing of gas, metal ions as well as relevant chemical entities.

Emerging Biomedical Applications of Enzyme-Like Catalytic Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials have been developed for many biomedical applications, including medical imaging, drug delivery, and antimicrobial coatings. Intriguingly, nanoparticles can display 'enzyme-like' activity and have been explored as alternatives to natural enzymes in several industrial and energy-related applications. Recently, these catalytic nanomaterials with enzyme-mimetic properties have found new biomedical applications, from biofilm disruption to protection against neurodegeneration and tumor prevention. In this review we focus on recent in vivo studies demonstrating potential therapeutic uses of catalytic nanomaterials. We also provide insights about the relationships between catalytic activity, therapeutic efficacy, and biocompatibility that are critical for clinical translatability. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future directions for the use of these nanomaterials as novel platforms for the development of sustainable, affordable, and safe therapeutics.

General Metal-Ion Mediated Method for Functionalization of Graphene Fiber

Graphene fibers (GFs) are attractive materials for wearable electronics because of their lightness, superior flexibility, and electrical conductivity. However, the hydrophobic nature and highly stacked structure endow GFs similar characteristics in nature to solid carbon fibers. Therefore, the interior functionalization of GFs so as to achieve synergistic interaction between graphene nanosheets and active materials thus enhance the performance of hybrid fibers remains a challenge. Herein, a general metal-ion mediated strategy is developed to functionalize GFs and nanoparticles of Cu, Fe₂O₃, NiO, and CoO are successfully incorporated into GFs, respectively. As proof-of-concept applications, the obtained functionalized GFs are used as electrodes for electrochemical sensors and supercapacitors. The performances of thus-devised fiber sensor and supercapacitor are greatly improved.

Flexible Graphene-Based Wearable Gas and Chemical Sensors

Wearable electronics is expected to be one of the most active research areas in the next decade; therefore, nanomaterials possessing high carrier mobility, optical transparency, mechanical robustness and flexibility, lightweight, and environmental stability will be in immense demand. Graphene is one of the nanomaterials that fulfill all these requirements, along with other inherently unique properties and convenience to fabricate into different morphological nanostructures, from atomically thin single layers to nanoribbons. Graphene-based materials have also been investigated in sensor technologies, from chemical sensing to detection of cancer biomarkers. The progress of graphene-based flexible gas and chemical sensors in terms of material preparation, sensor fabrication, and their performance are reviewed here. The article provides a brief introduction to graphene-based materials and their potential applications in flexible and stretchable wearable electronic devices. The role of graphene in fabricating flexible gas sensors for the detection of various hazardous gases, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen (H₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and humidity in wearable technology, is discussed. In addition, applications of graphene-based materials are also summarized in detecting toxic heavy metal ions (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Ag), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including nitrobenzene, toluene, acetone, formaldehyde, amines, phenols, bisphenol A (BPA), explosives, chemical warfare agents, and environmental pollutants. The sensitivity, selectivity and strategies for excluding interferents are also discussed for graphene-based gas and chemical sensors. The challenges for developing future generation of flexible and stretchable sensors for wearable technology that would be usable for the Internet of Things (IoT) are also highlighted.

Analytical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Where we are and where we are heading

The main aim of this paper is to offer an objective and critical overview of the situation and trends in Analytical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (AN&N), which is an important break point in the evolution of Analytical Chemistry in the XXI century as they were computers and instruments in the second half of XX century. The first part of this overview is devoted to provide a general approach to AN&N by describing the state of the art of this recent topic, being the importance of it also emphasized. Secondly, particular but very relevant trends in this topic are outlined: the analysis of the nanoworld, the so "third way" in AN&N, the growing importance of bioanalysis, the evaluation of both nanosensors and nanosorbents, the impact of AN&N in bioimaging and in nanotoxicological studies, as well as the crucial importance of reliability of the nanotechnological processes and results for solving real analytical problems in the frame of Social Responsibility (SR) of science and technology. Several reflections are included at the end of this overview written as a bird's eye view, which is not an easy task for experts in AN&N.

The Investigation of Electrochemistry Behaviors of Tyrosinase Based on Directly-Electrodeposited Grapheneon Choline-Gold Nanoparticles

A novel catechol (CA) biosensor was developed by embedding tyrosinase (Tyr) onto in situ electrochemical reduction graphene (EGR) on choline-functionalized gold nanoparticle (AuNPs-Ch) film. The results of UV-Vis spectra indicated that Tyr retained its original structure in the film, and an electrochemical investigation of the biosensor showed a pair of well-defined, quasi-reversible redox peaks with E_pa = -0.0744 V and E_pc = -0.114 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 M, pH 7.0 sodium phosphate-buffered saline at a scan rate of 100 mV/s. The transfer rate constant k_s is 0.66 s^-1. The Tyr-EGR/AuNPs-Ch showed a good electrochemical catalytic response for the reduction of CA, with the linear range from 0.2 to 270 μM and a detection limit of 0.1 μM (S/N = 3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was estimated to be 109 μM.

Studies on electrochemical glucose sensing, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of fabricated copper nanoparticle immobilized chitin nanostructure

In this study, copper nanoparticle immobilized chitin nanocomposite (CNP/CuNP) was synthesized and used for the development of non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor. The CNP/CuNP was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis. The glucose sensing property of CNP/CuNP was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). As a result of the synergistic effect of CNP and CuNP, the modified electrode displayed effective electro-oxidation of glucose in 0.1M NaOH solution. At 0.45V potential the modified electrode showed response towards glucose in the linear range of 1-1000μM with a lowest detection limit of 0.776μM with better selectivity and stability. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of CNP/CuNP was evaluated against bacterial and fungal strains. CNP/CuNP displayed enhanced antimicrobial activity when compared to CNP and CuNP alone. Similarly, cytotoxicity of CNP/CuNP was tested against Artemia salina, which showed no toxic effect in the tested concentration.

Double Recognition and Selective Extraction of Glycoprotein Based on the Molecular Imprinted Graphene Oxide and Boronate Affinity

Specific recognition and separation of glycoproteins from complex biological solutions is very important in clinical diagnostics considering the close relationship between glycoproteins with the occurrence of diverse diseases, but the lack of materials with high selectivity and superior capture capacity still makes it a challenge. In this work, graphene oxide (GO) based molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) possessing double recognition abilities have been synthesized and applied as highly efficient adsorbents for glycoprotein recognition and separation. Boronic acid functionalized graphene oxide (GO-APBA) was first prepared and a template glycoprotein (ovalbumin, OVA) was then immobilized onto the surface of GO-APBA through boronate affinity. An imprinting layer was subsequently deposited onto GO-APBA surface by a sol-gel polymerization of organic silanes in aqueous solution. After the removal of the template glycoprotein, 3D cavities with double recognition abilities toward OVA were obtained in the as-prepared imprinted materials (GO-APBA/MIPs) because of the combination of boronate affinity and molecularly imprinted spatial matched cavities. The obtained GO-APBA/MIPs exhibited superior specific recognition toward OVA with imprinted factor (α) as high as 9.5, significantly higher than the corresponding value (4.0) of GO/MIPs without the introduction of boronic acid groups. Meanwhile, because of the synergetic effect of large surface area of graphene and surface imprinting, high binding capacity and fast adsorption/elution rate of GO-APBA/MIPs toward OVA were demonstrated and the saturation binding capacity of GO-APBA/MIPs could reach 278 mg/g within 40 min. The outstanding recognizing behavior (high adsorption capacity, highly specific recognition, and rapid binding rate) coupled to the facile and environmentally friendly preparation procedure makes GO-APBA/MIPs promising in the recognition, separation, and analysis of glycoproteins in clinics in the future.

Sensing at the Surface of Graphene Field-Effect Transistors

Recent research trends now offer new opportunities for developing the next generations of label-free biochemical sensors using graphene and other two-dimensional materials. While the physics of graphene transistors operated in electrolyte is well grounded, important chemical challenges still remain to be addressed, namely the impact of the chemical functionalizations of graphene on the key electrical parameters and the sensing performances. In fact, graphene - at least ideal graphene - is highly chemically inert. The functionalizations and chemical alterations of the graphene surface - both covalently and non-covalently - are crucial steps that define the sensitivity of graphene. The presence, reactivity, adsorption of gas and ions, proteins, DNA, cells and tissues on graphene have been successfully monitored with graphene. This review aims to unify most of the work done so far on biochemical sensing at the surface of a (chemically functionalized) graphene field-effect transistor and the challenges that lie ahead. The authors are convinced that graphene biochemical sensors hold great promise to meet the ever-increasing demand for sensitivity, especially looking at the recent progresses suggesting that the obstacle of Debye screening can be overcome.

Rapid synthesis of rGO conjugated hierarchical NiCo2O4 hollow mesoporous nanospheres with enhanced glucose sensitivity

NiCo₂O₄ nanospheres, a type of conjugated reduced graphene oxide (rGO), are compounded by a simple and easy synthesis of Cu₂O/GO and fabricated NiCo₂O₄/rGO nanocomposites based on a Cu₂O/GO template. The structure and morphology of the hierarchical NiCo₂O₄/rGO are characterized by x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemistry properties of NiCo₂O₄/rGO composites toward glucose are determined based on a glassy carbon electrode, and the results indicate that the hollow nanospheres of NiCo₂O₄/rGO could achieve high-sensitivity detections of glucose. The NiCo₂O₄/rGO composite has a detection range of 0.04 mM to 1.28 mM, a sensitivity of 2082.57 μA mM^-1 cm^-2, and a detection limit of 0.7 μM. The composite further exhibits obvious stability, superior reproducibility, and excellent selectivity. This study demonstrates that NiCo₂O₄/rGO is a unique and material with high potential in glucose sensing.

Facile synthesis of perovskite-type NdNiO3 nanoparticles for an effective electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose biosensor

The detailed facile synthesis and material characterizations of NdNiO₃ nanoparticles for a non-enzymatic glucose sensor application were discussed briefly in this paper.

A facile one-step fabrication of a novel Cu/MoS2 nano-assembled structure for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction performance

The design and synthesis of non-precious-metal catalysts for the efficient electrochemical transformation of water into molecular hydrogen in acid environments are of paramount importance in reducing energy losses during the water splitting process.

Temperature-driven growth of reduced graphene oxide/copper nanocomposites for glucose sensing

A one-spot method was developed for the synthesis of graphene sheet decorated with copper nanoparticles using different reduction temperatures via a molecular level mixing process. Here, we demonstrate that the reduction temperature is a crucial determinant of the properties of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/metal composite and its electrocatalytic application in glucose sensing. To show this, we prepared a series of RGO/Cu composites at different reduction temperatures and examined the change rules of size, loading and dispersion of Cu particles, and the reduction extent of the RGO. Results showed that the Cu particle size increased with increasing reduction temperatures due to the Ostwald ripening process. Meanwhile, the Cu loading decreased with increasing reduction temperatures and the aggregation had not appeared in the high Cu loading situation. Additionally, the increasing reduction temperatures led to the decreasing concentrations of various oxygen-containing functional group of RGO with various degrees. The cyclic voltammogram showed that the RGO/metal composites fabricated under lower reduction temperatures exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity for glucose sensing, which was attributed to the higher surface area from larger loading of RGO/metal composites with smaller particle size. It can be concluded that the above factors play more significant roles in electrocatalytic efficiency than the decreased electron transfer rate between RGO and Cu within a certain range. These results highlight the importance of the reduction temperature influencing the properties of the RGO/metal composite and its application. We believe that these findings can be of great value in the further developing RGO/metal-based sensors for electrochemical detection of different analytes in emerging fields.