Cerium Oxide Based Glucose Biosensors: Influence of Morphology and Underlying Substrate on Biosensor Performance

Abstract

Shape controlled cerium oxide nanostructures were grown directly on various conducting substrates via electrodeposition and utilized as proof of concept glucose biosensors. Substrates like fluorine doped tin oxide, carbon paper, and carbon cloth were used in the present study. Here, a detailed investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of cerium oxide morphology and the underlying substrates on the biosensor performance. It was observed that the cerium oxide nanostructures grown directly on carbon cloth were the most sensitive glucose biosensors. The cerium oxide based biosensors exhibited a sensitivity between 208–2290 μA/cm2·mM. The lowest limit of detection, among the studied biosensors, was recorded to be 1 nM. The enhanced performance of these biosensors was related to the increased surface area and high defect concentrations on the surface. These results provide a potential opportunity for flexible substrates like carbon paper and carbon cloth coupled with nanostructures, in a feasible design, to be used as platforms for robust, affordable, and highly sensitive biosensors.