Graphene Quantum Dots As Optical Sensor for Glucose Detection

Abstract

Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) show promise for many technological applications because GQDs have low toxicity and are chemically inert, biocompatible, and resistant to photobleaching [1]. We report a simple route to prepare graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using glucose carbonization. GQDs functionalized with phenylboronic acid receptors were employed as a sensing material for a nonenzymatic glucose sensor. GQDs display high surface area and the carboxylic moieties at their edges provide them with water dispersibility and proper functional groups to be complexed with several compounds [2]. Therefore, GQDs considered as a good sensing probe. The prepared GQDs were characterized using different techniques such as UV-visible and photoluminance spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. TEM micrographs confirmed the preparation of 8-10 nm GQDs. The emission peak of the GQDs appears at 450 nm. The developed sensor has linear response to glucose over a concentration range of 5 -50 mM.