A highly accurate and selective non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on a Fe2O3/CuFe2O4/graphene nanoplatelet nanocomposite

Abstract

In this study, a sensitive and accurate non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on a Fe₂O₃/CuFe₂O₄/graphene nanoplatelet (GNPs) nanocomposite was performed. The nanocomposite was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method and characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, Raman, XPS, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The integration of Fe₂O₃ and CuFe₂O₄ with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) provides a synergistic effect, enhanced surface area, high electrochemical conductivity and improved catalytic activity toward glucose oxidation. Electrochemical measurements using CV and chronoamperometry demonstrated excellent sensing performance, with high sensitivity of 62.4 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², a lower of detection limit of 0.049 μM (S/N = 3) and a widely linear detection range from 5–75 μM and 75–13 000 μM. The sensor exhibited outstanding selectivity against common interfering species (e.g., dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid), along with good stability and reproducibility. These findings suggest that the Fe₂O₃/CuFe₂O₄/GNPs nanocomposite is a promising applicant for glucose non-enzymatic sensing in clinical and biomedical applications.