Direct electron transfer glucose biosensor based on glucose oxidase self-assembled on electrochemically reduced carboxyl graphene

A glucose biosensor based on direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOD) self-assembled on the surface of the electrochemically reduced carboxyl graphene (ERCGr) modified glassy carbon electrode has been reported. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses of ERCGr indicate most of the oxygen-containing groups such as epoxy/ether groups and hydroxyl groups in the carboxyl graphene were eliminated, while carboxylic acid groups remained. GOD was immobilized on the ERCGr modified glassy carbon electrode via self-assembly. The cyclic voltammetric result of the electrode shows a pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible redox peaks with a formal potential of −0.467 V and a peak to peak separation of 49 mV, revealing that the direct electron transfer between GOD and the electrode has been achieved. The proposed biosensor exhibits a linear response to glucose concentrations ranging from 2 to 18 mM with a detection limit of 0.02 mM. Moreover, this facile, fast, environment-friendly and economical preparation strategy of ERCGr may be extended for the preparation of other graphene based enzyme electrode biosensors.

► Electrochemical reduction of carboxyl graphene improved its conductivity.
► GOD immobilized on the ERCGr modified GCE by self-assembly.
► Direct electron transfer between GOD and the electrode had been achieved.
► The linear detection range of glucose was from 2 to 18 mM.