Preparation of a glucose-sensitive one-dimensional photonic crystal via top-down nanocasting

Photonic crystals have been widely explored for biosensing. However, the complicated procedure for the self-assembly of multi-dimensional photonic crystals has driven researchers to look for more economical protocols for preparing photonic crystals. Furthermore, in situ monitoring of glucose with photonic crystals is the main technique used for controlling diabetes. A one-dimensional (1-D) photonic crystal gel sensor was prepared with a top-down method using a commercially available CD-R or DVD-R disc as a nanomold. The 1-D photonic structure was cast on a glucose-sensitive hydrogel. It was observed that the 1-D photonic crystal cast by DVD-R has a good response ability to glucose, as well as a good linear response relationship in the range of 0.1-4 mM glucose, with an adjusted R-2 of 0.99 of the linear fitting curve. The sensor also has a good response ability to the detection of glucose in urine. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.1 mM. The 1-D photonic crystal sensor utilizing the existing optical disc microstructure as a template shows the advantages of its simple preparation, short production cycle, and low cost. It also has great application potential in the preparation of point-of-care (POC) sensors.

Automated summary

Photonic crystals are widely used in biosensing applications. Researchers are seeking more economical protocols for preparing photonic crystals due to the complicated procedure for their self-assembly. In situ monitoring of glucose with photonic crystals is currently a main technique for controlling diabetes. In this study, a one-dimensional photonic crystal gel sensor was successfully prepared using a commercially available CD-R or DVD-R disc as a nanomold. The sensor showed good response ability to glucose and could detect glucose in urine with a limit of detection of 0.1 mM. The use of the existing optical disc microstructure as a template in the preparation of the 1-D photonic crystal sensor offers the advantages of simple preparation, short production cycle, and low cost. It also has great potential for application in point-of-care sensors.