Electrochemical Sensing with Prussian Blue-Based Materials

Prussian Blue (PB), an iron hexacyanoferrate framework, has emerged as a versatile electrocatalyst for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and related analytes through its reversible FeII/FeIII redox couple. When deposited as thin films or nanoparticles on conductive supports—such as carbon nanotubes, laser-induced graphene or conducting polymers—PB affords low-potential amperometric sensing with excellent selectivity. Modifications that combine PB with polymeric matrices or nanostructured carbons enhance operational stability, surface area and enzyme immobilisation, enabling robust biosensing platforms. Recent innovations have advanced wireless, battery-free designs and point-of-care prototypes, underscoring the material’s global relevance for medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and food safety.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Research from all publishers

Researchers have engineered a one-step polymerisation route to embed PB nanoparticles within a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) network, yielding a self-assembled catalytic hetero-interface on laser-induced graphene. This construct greatly prolongs PB stability, offers abundant functional groups for enzyme tethering and enables a near-field communication-enabled, battery-free urine glucose sensor with rapid smartphone readout. In parallel, spontaneous deposition of PB onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes has produced composite electrodes with pronounced electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen peroxide at low overpotentials; when coupled to glucose oxidase, these devices achieve sub-micromolar detection limits, fast (<2 s) response and high selectivity. The kinetics of cation (Na+ and K+) intercalation into nickel hexacyanoferrate thin films have been probed by dynamic multivariate impedance spectroscopy, uncovering a two-step adsorption–insertion mechanism. Insights from this study inform the design of PB-analog sensors with tunable response times and improved ionic selectivity.

Electrochemical Sensing with Prussian Blue-Based Materials publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical sensing with prussian blue-based materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Prussian Blue: A mixed-valence iron hexacyanoferrate coordination network (FeIII[FeII(CN)6]) known for its reversible redox activity and electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide.

Electrocatalysis: The acceleration of an electrochemical reaction at an electrode surface via a catalytic material, often leading to lower overpotentials and enhanced sensitivity.

Amperometric biosensor: A device that measures current generated by the oxidation or reduction of an analyte—often via an enzyme reaction—at a fixed potential.

Intercalation: The reversible insertion of ions into the lattice of a host material, affecting its electrochemical and structural properties.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG): A porous, three-dimensional carbon network formed by laser irradiation of polymer precursors, used as a high-surface-area electrode support.

References

1. Prussian‐Blue Catalysis and NFC Synergy: a Battery‐Free Laser‐Induced Graphene‐Based Platform for Urine Glucose Monitoring at Point‐of‐Care. Advanced Science (2025).
2. Spontaneous Deposition of Prussian Blue on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and the Application in an Amperometric Biosensor. Nanomaterials (2012).
3. Dynamic Impedance Spectroscopy of Nickel Hexacyanoferrate Thin Films. ChemElectroChem (2019).