Non-enzymatic Glucose Detection by Fe2O3 Nanorods-reduced Graphene under Physiological pH

Background: Non-enzymatic detection has become a research hotspot because of its alternativity in solving problems compared to enzymatic biosensors, but most of those sensors require a strong basic pH environment (higher than 10) to active their surface, restricting their use in clinical detection because the pH of body fluid is around 7.4. Furthermore, metal oxide sensors with specific morphologies are reported to have a fast electrocatalytic response. Therefore, Fe2O3 nanocomposites with porous structure are selected for glucose detection research in a physiological pH environment. Objective: The study aimed to assess the potential use of porous reduced graphene oxide-Fe2O3 nanorods in glucose detection in a physiological pH environment. Method: Hydrothermal method was used to prepare porous Fe2O3-rGO NRs (Nanorods) and hollow Fe2O3/C nanoparticles. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate the performance of our materials. Results: Porous-reduced graphene oxide-Fe2O3 nanorods have exhibited better performance than hollow carbon-Fe2O3 core-shell nanoparticles for glucose detection in a physiological pH environment. Conclusion: Non-enzymatic glucose sensing based upon cavity Fe2O3-rGO NRs under a physiological pH environment has been successfully realized, attributing to their high electron mobility and large specific surface area. Furthermore, the results of this work indicate that the glucose sensor prepared here has shown good repeatability and stability, which suggests its potential use in clinical detection.