Rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal green synthesis of rGO/NiO nanocomposite for glucose detection in diabetes

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases worldwide that can lead to dangerous complications. Therefore, the demand for the development of optimal glucose sensors has increased for diabetes disease management. In this study, a non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on a reduced graphene oxide and nickel oxide (rGO/NiO) nanocomposite was developed. This novel rGO/NiO nanocomposite was synthesized using a facile and rapid green economic microwave-assisted hydrothermal method in the absence and presence of organic/reducing agents and subcritical water, respectively. The morphology and composition of the as-prepared rGO/NiO nanocomposite were characterized via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the rGO/ NiO-modified electrode was examined by cyclic and square wave voltammetric techniques under optimal conditions. The results indicated that the developed rGO/NiO electrode exhibited a good performance toward glucose detection in 0.1 M NaOH alkaline solution with two linear electrochemical responses to glucose ranging from 20 mu M to 80 mu M and from 1mM to 15 mM. Moreover, the detection limit was 19.35 mu M ([S/N] = 3). The fabricated sensor was also investigated for the detection of glucose in the presence of common interfering species. Thus, the sensor exhibited good sensitivity and selectivity and was repeatable, stable, and economical for non-enzymatic glucose detection. Additionally, the proposed sensor was successfully applied for glucose detection in human serum samples with satisfactory recoveries.