Non-enzymatic sensing of glucose using a glassy carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles coated with polyethyleneimine and 3-aminophenylboronic acid

A non-enzymatic electrochemical method was developed for sensing glucose by using a glassy carbon electrode modified with 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) immobilized on polyethyleneimine (PEI)-coated gold nanoparticles. The modified electrode was characterized by TEM, zeta potential measurements and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Its analytical performance was evaluated in pH 9 solution by potentiometry. The respective calibration plot, established at open circuit potential (vs. Ag/AgCl) covers the 0.5-50 mM glucose concentration range, which makes it suitable for blood glucose assays. The detection limit is 0.025 mM, and no interference is caused by ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid. Effects of other carbohydrates such as fructose, galactose and saccharose were also investigated. The electrode was used to determine glucose in human serum samples and the results agreed well with those obtained with commercial amperometric enzymatic sensors.