Electrochemical Sensing of Glucose in Biomedical Applications

Electrochemical sensing of glucose has become a cornerstone of diabetes management and broader biomedical monitoring, offering rapid, sensitive and cost-effective measurement of blood glucose levels. These sensors operate by translating glucose oxidation at an electrode interface into an electrical signal, enabling both in vitro and continuous in vivo monitoring. Over successive sensor generations, innovations have ranged from enzyme-based architectures utilising glucose oxidase to non-enzymatic designs that exploit tailored nanostructured catalysts. The integration of advanced materials—such as carbon nanomaterials, metal and metal-oxide nanocomposites, metal–organic frameworks, and conducting polymers—has enhanced electron-transfer kinetics, lowered detection limits and improved selectivity against common interferents. Flexible and miniaturised platforms now facilitate minimally invasive monitoring via microneedles or wearable patches, while implantable electrodes are under development to deliver real-time glycaemic profiles. Global efforts continue to address challenges in long-term stability, biofouling and calibration, with translational studies emphasising biocompatibility, scalability and regulatory compliance. The convergence of materials science, surface engineering and microfabrication heralds the next generation of high-performance glucose sensors, poised to impact personalised medicine and chronic disease management worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have focused on the design of hierarchical nanostructures to boost electrocatalytic activity and stability. A sonochemical route produced a sulfur-doped reduced graphene oxide/copper sulfide composite that exhibited dual-range linearity and a detection limit in the nanomolar region, thanks to enhanced oxygen vacancy-mediated charge transfer. Separately, three-dimensional nickel oxide hollow spheres interfaced with reduced graphene oxide demonstrated rapid amperometric response (<5 s), high sensitivity and acceptable serum recovery rates, attributed to their porous superstructure and improved electron-transfer kinetics. Together, these platforms underscore the value of combining conducting carbon scaffolds with transition-metal electrocatalysts to achieve selective, repeatable glucose measurements in complex biological media.

Electrochemical Sensing of Glucose in Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical sensing of glucose in biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Amperometry: Measurement of current resulting from the electrochemical oxidation or reduction of glucose at a controlled potential.

Biosensor: Analytical device that combines a biological recognition element with a physicochemical transducer to produce a measurable signal.

Electrocatalysis: Acceleration of electrode reactions by catalytic materials to enhance sensitivity and selectivity.

Non-enzymatic sensor: Sensor relying on direct electrochemical oxidation of glucose at the electrode surface without enzymatic mediation.

Limit of detection: Lowest glucose concentration that can be distinguished from the background signal with confidence.

Nanocomposite: Hybrid material comprising nanoscale components designed to optimise electrical conductivity and surface reactivity.

References

1. Sonochemical Synthesis of Sulfur Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Supported CuS Nanoparticles for the Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor Applications. Scientific Reports (2017).
2. 3D NiO hollow sphere/reduced graphene oxide composite for high-performance glucose biosensor. Scientific Reports (2017).
3. Carbon nanotubes: a powerful bridge for conductivity and flexibility in electrochemical glucose sensors. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2023).
4. Enhancing Nonenzymatic Glucose Detection Through Cobalt‐Substituted Hafnia. Advanced Science (2025).
5. Recent Advances in Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensors Based on Metal and Metal Oxide Nanostructures for Diabetes Management- A Review. Frontiers in Chemistry (2021).