Porous silicon used as glucose detector without functionalization process: One possible alternative as sensor

Diabetes is one of the main causes of disease in the world and the detection of glucose levels is very important for the prevention and treatment of this disease. The current control of glucose levels in diabetics people requires collecting blood samples by invasive means which is painful and sometimes scarring due to the continuous monitoring of these levels. Today, there are many systems that monitor the glucose level in blood, tears, saliva, etc. However, these systems are very expensive or access difficult for people. Here, a simple glucose sensor based on porous silicon has been designed without functionalization and only its own structure has been capable of detecting current levels of glucose from 50 mg/dl to 500 mg/dl. The porous silicon was obtained by the MACE method and the characterization was carried out by SEM to identify the morphology of the films the important point was the electrical characterization by I-V curves where it was possible the detection of these glucose levels. The design reported in this work can be proposed as the simplest ever reported since it is not necessary to add up an additional step of functionalization with GOx. [Display omitted] •The simplest PS sensor without functionalization.•Low-cost and simple method for fabrication.•Clear response of the detection for glucose level.•Rectifying and ohmic behavior of the sensor.•Working with any voltage positive or negative.