Development of a Glucose Biosensor Using Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Undergraduate #118
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Nanoscience

Alina Moriarty - Norfolk State University
Co-Author(s): Seana Moriarty, Tejaswini Ronurpraful, Virupaxi Goornavar, and Govindarajan Ramesh, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA

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The development of a glucose biosensor using milti-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) will allow for glucose levels to be detected in an individual’s blood at a lower cost and higher accuracy than traditional methods. Developing a highly sensitive, cost effective glucose biosensor is important because there are so many individuals in the world who suffer from a form of diabetes. A combination of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCT), polyethylenimine (PEI), and glucose oxidase (GOx) was made into a solution and coated onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Once the electrode was coated the biosensor was characterized using various electrochemical tests such as using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Potassium Ferricyanide was used as a redox agent and Potassium Nitrate was used as an electrolyte. The chronoamperometric studies were conducted for the glucose analyte in a 0.05M phosphate buffer solution using a Gamry Potenstiostat. The results of the characterization were further analyzed using GraphPad Prism software. From the characterization the limit of detection and sensitivity of the sensor were calculated. These calculations indicated the sensor’s effectiveness.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): National Science Foundation CREST

Faculty Advisor: Govindarajan Ramesh,