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Au nanoparticle–decorated ZnO nanorods as fluorescent non-enzymatic glucose probe

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Abstract

ZnO nanorods (NRs) synthesized by a hydrothermal method and decorated with Au nanoparticles (NPs) were used for fluorescent non-enzymatic glucose detection. The detection is based on the photoluminescence (PL) quenching of ZnO NRs/Au NPs (at 382 nm under 325 nm excitation) exposed to glucose. The sensor exhibits a high sensitivity of (22 ± 2) % mM−1 (defined as percentage change of the PL peak intensity per mM) and a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.01 mM, along with an excellent selectivity and a short response time (less than 5 s). In comparison with a fluorescent non-enzymatic ZnO nanostructure–based glucose sensor, the addition of Au NPs significantly enhances the sensitivity. This is attributed to the surface plasmon resonance, which increases not only the photoluminescence intensity but also the photo-oxidation property of the ZnO NRs. Thus, ZnO NRs/Au NPs can act as an efficient photocatalyst for glucose detection. Most importantly, the probe is applicable to glucose detection in human blood serum. The outstanding performance of the material and its cost-effectiveness allow for potential application in single-use, noninvasive glucose devices.

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A sensitive non-enzymatic fluorescent glucose probe–based ZnO nanorod decorated with Au nanoparticles.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Viet Tuyen for Au nanoparticle decoration, MSc. Sai Cong Doanh for SEM and EDS mapping measurements, and Dr. Luu Manh Quynh for UV-VIS measurement.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) of Vietnam through Grant No. 103.03-2019.315.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physics, University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam

    Hanh Hong Mai

  2. Quantum Solid-State Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Ewald Janssens

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Correspondence to Hanh Hong Mai or Ewald Janssens.

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Mai, H.H., Janssens, E. Au nanoparticle–decorated ZnO nanorods as fluorescent non-enzymatic glucose probe. Microchim Acta 187, 577 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-020-04563-6

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