Electrochemical nonenzymatic sensing of glucose using advanced nanomaterials

An overview (with 376 refs.) is given here on the current state of methods for electrochemical sensing of glucose based on the use of advanced nanomaterials. An introduction into the field covers aspects of enzyme based sensing versus nonenzymatic sensing using nanomaterials. The next chapter cover the most commonly used nanomaterials for use in such sensors, with sections on uses of noble metals, transition metals, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, and metal sulfides, on bimetallic nanoparticles and alloys, and on other composites. A further section treats electrodes based on the use of carbon nanomaterials (with subsections on carbon nanotubes, on graphene, graphene oxide and carbon dots, and on other carbonaceous nanomaterials. The mechanisms for electro-catalysis are also discussed, and several Tables are given where the performance of sensors is being compared. Finally, the review addresses merits and limitations (such as the frequent need for working in strongly etching alkaline solutions and the need for diluting samples because sensors often have analytical ranges that are far below the glucose levels found in blood). We also address market/technology gaps in comparison to commercially available enzymatic sensors. Graphical Abstract Schematic representation of electrochemical nonenzymatic glucose sensing on the nanomaterials modified electrodes. At an applied potential, the nanomaterial-modified electrodes exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity for direct oxidation of glucose oxidation.