2D hematene, a bioresorbable electrocatalytic support for glucose oxidation

Towards the aim of developing implantable and fully biodegradable sensors and biofuel cells, 2D nanosheets of hematite have been exfoliated and processed into electrode materials for glucose sensing. Gold, (Au) nanoparticles were electrodeposited onto the 2D substrate to develop a sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor. Despite a low loading of a catalyst, the composite achieved a sensitivity of 10 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², good linearity (0–3.2 mM) with a detection limit of 0.4 mM, a response time of less than 10 s, and long-term performance stability. These results make Au/Fe₂O₃ hematene nanosheet, a promising catalytic material not only for glucose monitoring but also from which to construct biofuel cells using glucose as fuel. (paper)