Fabrication and evaluation of a carbon quantum dot/gold nanoparticle nanohybrid material integrated onto planar micro gold electrodes for potential bioelectrochemical sensing applications

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2019-01, Vol.293, p.307-317
• Main Authors: Buk, Vuslat, Pemble, Martyn E., Twomey, Karen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ascorbic acid; Biosensors; Carbon; Carbon quantum dots; Electrochemical biosensors; Glucose oxidase; Gold; Gold nanoparticles; Nano-hybrid materials; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Quantum dots; Reproducibility; Semiconductor fabrication; Semiconductors; Uric acid
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.10.038

We have developed a hybrid nanomaterial based on both of carbon quantum dots(CQDs)/gold nanoparticles(AuNPs), such that the cheapness and versatility on the CQDs is directly combined with the inertness and electrochemical activity of the AuNPs to create a new electrochemical biosensor. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate how this interesting materials combination can be applied in the development of an enzymatic biosensor that is easily manufacturable using standard semiconductor processing methods. To demonstrate the potential and performance of the CQDs as an immobilization matrix, glucose oxidase(GOx) enzyme was chosen as a model system. The analytical performance of the developed biosensor was examined using chronoamperometry and the developed CQDs/AuNPs-GOx biosensor exhibited a sensitivity of 47.24  μA mM−1 cm−2 and a detection limit of 17 μM (S/N = 3) with a linear response to glucose ranging from 0.05 mM to 2.85 mM (R = 0.987). Furthermore, this new biosensor showed a high level of reproducibility and was also shown to be very selective towards glucose in the presence of the possible interference species ascorbic acid, uric acid and acetaminophen. Finally, it is demonstrated that the sensor is also capable of reliably detecting glucose levels in human serum. [Display omitted] •Carbon quantum dots/gold nanoparticles nanohybrid material was prepared and characterized by UV-spectrophotometer, TEM and FTIR.•Gold electrodes with 0.085 cm2 surface area were fabricated and characterized.•Developed biosensor exhibited a sensitivity of 47.24  μA mM−1 cm−2 with a linear response to glucose ranging from 0.05 mM to 2.85 mM.