Non-enzymatic glucose detection using nanocomposite decorated Cellulose-Based field effect transistor - a green electronics approach

Abstract

Cellulose portrays suitable substrate material for biodegradable, cheaper, and sustainable electronic devices making it an alternative to traditional silicon/plastic materials. Additionally, field-effect transistors (FET) engross huge demand in biosensing applications owing to high amplification factors and work like transducers. Herein, fabrication, and the applicability of an eco-friendly, flexible, nanocomposite-decorated cellulose-based paper FET (PFET) chip, are demonstrated. Having cellulose as a dielectric as well as an active channel layer for depositing nanocomposite materials, and electrodes made of silver (Ag) ink, the as-fabricated PFET brings the concept of green electronics. The device exhibited good electrical and electronic behaviour having high electron and hole mobility (µe and µh) 3641 cm2V-1S-1 and 2436 cm2V-1S-1 in the absence and 8823 cm2V-1S-1 and 9116 cm2V-1S-1 respectively in the presence of glucose. Moreover, when tested for non-enzymatic glucose sensing under physiological pH conditions, a linear range from 0.1 mM to 5 mM with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 3 µM was observed. Finally, with satisfactory results, we proved the practical applicability of low-voltage PFET biosensors by measuring the glucose content in commercially available energy drinks and artificial urine samples. Hence, we developed a high-performance PFET chip utilising the circular economy concept with an optimised device structure and sensing techniques. We envisage that the device could enable real-time monitoring of glucose levels in commercially available drinks and diabetic urine samples.