A Review on Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Biosensors of Glucose Using Carbon Nanofiber Nanocomposites

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has become a worldwide epidemic, and it is expected to become the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. In response to the increasing number of diabetes patients worldwide, glucose biosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity have been developed for rapid detection. The selectivity, high sensitivity, simplicity, and quick response of electrochemical biosensors have made them a popular choice in recent years. This review summarizes the recent developments in electrodes for non-enzymatic glucose detection using carbon nanofiber (CNF)-based nanocomposites. The electrochemical performance and limitations of enzymatic and non-enzymatic glucose biosensors are reviewed. Then, the recent developments in non-enzymatic glucose biosensors using CNF composites are discussed. The final section of the review provides a summary of the challenges and perspectives, for progress in non-enzymatic glucose biosensors.

Keywords: carbon nanofiber; electrochemical biosensors; electrodes; nanocomposite; nanoparticles.

Figure 1

Different applications of CNFs.

Figure 2

The characteristic properties of CNFs and the effect of the properties on the performance of the fabricated biosensor.

Figure 3

CVs of the Ni/CNF nanocomposite without (dark line) and with 2 mM (red line) and 4 mM (green line) glucose. Inset shows the CVs of pure CNF without (dark line) and with glucose. Reprinted from Ref. [122], with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 4

Ni(OH)₂/ECNF nanocomposite fabrication steps. Reprinted from reference [106], with permission from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 5

Amperometric analysis and corresponding calibration plots (inset) of Pt/ECNF nanocomposites with different diameters of ECNF. Reprinted from reference [115], with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 6

Schematic illustration of glucose recognition mechanism based on a CuONPs-CNF nanocomposite. Reprinted from reference [117], with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 7

Synthesis steps of Co/CNFs and MCo/CNFs (M = Fe, Ni, Cu, and Mn) nanocomposites, electrochemical mechanism of electrodes, and the results of amperometric analysis of biosensors. Reprinted from reference [112], with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 8

Nyquist plots of electrodes in a 0.1 M KCl solution containing 5 mM [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4−. Reprinted from reference [116], with permission from ACS.

Figure 9

The amperometric response of an electrode to successive injections of 1.0 and 2.0 mM glucose and 0.1 mM interferents of UA, AA, and DA in 0.1 M NaOH solution. Reprinted from reference [61], with permission from Springer.