Water Splitting-Assisted Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glucose with a Metal–Organic Framework for Wearable Nonenzymatic Perspiration Sensing

In this work, a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor based on electrochemical water splitting-assisted electrocatalysis is developed for wearable perspiration glucose analysis. Pd nanoparticles (Pd NPs) encapsulated in a Co-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) is prepared and used as the electrocatalyst. In comparison to previously reported nonenzymatic glucose sensors which detect glucose in alkaline buffers, the proposed sensor analyzes glucose under physiological pH with no additional reagents, which enables wearable, maintenance-free perspiration glucose monitoring for a long time. The nonenzymatic sensor and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) is integrated into a sweatband for real-time analysis of perspiration glucose. The test results of perspiration glucose using our sensor are correlated to those of blood glucose tests by a commercial glucose meter. The sensitivity of the sensor remains stable within 2 months when it is stored unpacked under ambient conditions. Therefore, we believe it is promising for wearable nonenzymatic glucose monitoring for noninvasive clinical analysis and sport applications.