A review of recent advances in nonenzymatic glucose sensors

Currently, there is an overwhelming demand for the development and improvement of glucose sensors. Not only has the number of people requiring these sensors significantly increased over the last decade, so has the demand to make sensors which are both biocompatible and have increased sensing capabilities as compared to current technologies. In order to meet these needs, a move towards nonenzymatic glucose sensors has begun. These new sensors have garnered significant interest due to their capacity to achieve continuous glucose monitoring, their high stability compared to traditional glucose sensors, and the ease of their fabrication. Research has been extensively geared towards the preparation of these nonenzymatic glucose sensors from novel materials, often with unique micro- or nano-structures, which possess ideal properties for electrochemical biosensor applications. In recent years, a variety of materials including noble metals, metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, graphene, polymers, and composites have been explored for their electrocatalytic response to the oxidation of glucose. In this review, the most recent advances in nonenzymatic glucose sensors are visited, with the focus being on the last five years of research. •Most recent advances in nonenzymatic glucose sensors have been reviewed.•The principles of electrochemical detection and glucose oxidation are discussed.•This review is organized based on different biosensor materials.•We focus on noble metals, metal oxides, polymers, carbon nanotubes and graphene.•Potential use of spintronics in glucose sensor technology has been proposed.