A review on the recent advancements in nanomaterials for nonenzymatic lactate sensing

Lactate is one of the major biomarkers to assess the physical fitness of human in clinical or sports medicine. The proper and well-timed lactate determination can avoid some exigent conditions including hemorrhage, respiratory distress, sepsis, and hypoxia. Therefore, rapid, facile, selective, and reliable detection of lactate have gained appreciation lately. Among the various lactate detection methods, electrochemical method is the most rapid, convenient, and sensitive technique. Specifically, nanomaterial-based nonenzymatic electrochemical lactate sensors are much desirable to solve the demerits and stability issues of enzymatic lactate sensors. Numerous materials including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, molecularly imprinted polymers, and carbons were used as electrocatalysts to achieve highly sensitive lactate sensors. This present review mainly focuses on the recent developments of these materials for enzyme-free lactate oxidation and the future prospective of electrode modification catalysts for lactate sensors.

Automated summary

Lactate is an important biomarker for evaluating physical health in clinical or sports medicine. Rapid, convenient, selective and reliable detection methods for lactate have been highly appreciated, with electrochemical methods being the most rapid, convenient and sensitive. Nonenzymatic electrochemical lactate sensors based on nanomaterials have been developed to overcome the drawbacks and stability issues of enzymatic lactate sensors. This review focuses on the recent developments of materials such as metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, molecularly imprinted polymers, and carbons for enzyme-free lactate oxidation and the future prospects of electrode modification catalysts for lactate sensors.