Noble Bimetallic Nanoparticles in Glucose Detection

Catherine P. O'Connell*, Linh B. Truong*, Thomas J. Webster, David Medina Cruz

*Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA

Material Matters™, 2021, 16.2 | Material Matters™ Publications

davidmedinacrz@gmail.com

• Introduction
• Ag-based Nanoparticles: Ag-based NPs and H₂O₂ Detection
• Au-Based Nanoparticles: Au-based NPs as Sensor Catalysts
• Conclusion
• Materials

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by insulin insufficiency, which causes spikes in blood glucose (hyperglycemia), or reduced glucose (hypoglycemia).¹ While Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by the lack of insulin production from birth, Type II, the most common form of diabetes, is related to the improper use of insulin in the body. Since diabetes is an incurable disease, many patients must learn to manage and treat it appropriately.

Controlling glucose levels is a critical step for successful management of diabetes.¹ Currently, blood-glucose concentration can be measured directly through a glucose biosensor or indirectly using a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) biosensor. Glucose molecules break down into H₂O₂, which links the analysis of H₂O₂ to glucose concentration and presenting an orthogonal approach to glucose sensing.^2–4 However, blood-glucose monitoring can be an invasive process, requiring a portion of the instrument to pierce the skin. Furthermore, traditional glucose sensors depend on enzymatic activity, which relies on temperature, humidity, and interference. Therefore, their windows of effectiveness and accuracy are narrow.⁵

Thus, there is a need to develop new glucose monitoring methods that are less invasive and more reliable. Nanotechnology can offer several potential approaches to addressing this challenge. Monometallic nanoparticles (NPs) have improved surface characteristics and catalytic properties depending on the element used. However, they suffer from some limitations in terms of toxicity and physicochemical properties. Noble bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) present an alternative that can achieve significant functionality enhancement by combining different metal elements — making BMNPs useful potential tools in blood-glucose biosensing with limited invasiveness and enzymatic dependence. Research shows BMNPs have improved the analytical performance of sensors concerning sensitivity and selectivity.⁶

Research has already demonstrated the application of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) NPs for use in bimetallic glucose monitoring.⁷ Au-based nanostructures exhibit the ability to oxidize glucose, making them ideal for measuring glucose concentration. Meanwhile, Ag-based structures exhibit the ability to induce an etching effect from the H₂O₂, making them ideal for measuring H₂O₂ concentration.⁸ Combining these or other noble metals may provide an exciting alternative; as such, we discuss the current advances in noble BMNPs, specifically Au-based and Ag-based structures, and their glucose detection applications.

Ag-based Nanoparticles: AG-based NPs and H₂O₂ Detection

Ag-based NPs, such as Ag-Au, Ag-Pt, and Ag-Pd NPs, exhibit exciting changes in their localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which help detect changes in H₂O₂ concentration.⁹ Based on these characteristics, researchers can combine Ag with other metals to produce a stable, sensitive, enzyme-free biosensor for H₂O₂ . For instance, Li et al. constructed a novel Ag-Au NPs alloy embedded into copper oxide (Cu₂O) nanocubes on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets for H₂O₂ detection. The nanocomposite synthesis occurred in a two-step photo-reduction method, depositing the product onto RGO sheets. The structure showed suitable electrocatalytic activities in the presence of H₂O₂, with a linear range of 0.05–50.75 mmol/L (mM) at -0.2 V, a detection limit of 0.1 µM, and sensitivity of 0.14 µA mM^-1cm^-2. Moreover, the nanocomposite exhibited selectivity in the presence of interfering species, along with a fast response time concerning changes in H₂O₂ concentration, resetting a steady state after 2 seconds.¹⁰

Similarly, researchers used a green synthesis approach to fabricate Ag-Au NPs using alginate which were subsequently deposited onto a RGO surface. The resulting Ag-Au/RGO product was deposited onto a carbon electrode. The resulting sensor exhibited high stability and selectivity to H₂O₂ and demonstrated wide dynamic range and high sensitivity. Interestingly, the study showed that the reduction of H₂O₂ was limited by the diffusion rate, not the catalysis rate.¹¹ Sun et al. also utilized Ag-Au NPs performing in situ reductions by polydopamine (PDA) onto a carbon-fiber microelectrode. At optimal conditions at 20:80 Ag:Au atomic composition, the resulting electrode gave linear measurements over the range of 0–0.055 mM and 0.055–2.775 mM, with excellent sensitivity of 12966 μA mM^-1cm^-2 and 2534 μA mM^-1cm^-2, respectively. These results indicated that this sensor could potentially be suitable to detect trace amounts of H₂O₂.¹²

Other metal elements beyond Ag-Au NPs structures have also been utilized because of their synergistic effect. For instance, research shows platinum (Pt) can enhance the material’s overall electrocatalytic activities.¹³ In an interesting report, equimolar Ag-Pt NPs were synthesized, deposited onto the RGO surface, and coated on glassy carbon electrodes. This resulted in a wide linear range of measurement, high sensitivity, and a low detection limit. This performance was attributed to the synergistic combination of the RGO and Ag-Pt NPs. Samples of fetal bovine serum were tested using the Ag-Pt/RGO sensor, showing results within 5% of known concentration. Researchers also demonstrated glucose detection by measuring glucose oxidase presence.¹⁴ Additionally, an alternative method of UV-assisted synthesis of Ag-Pt NPs/ RGO nanocomposite was recently performed. Significantly, this structure exhibited enzyme-like kinetics, catalyzing 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H₂O₂. The reaction produced a light blue color. Therefore, a colorimetric assay was used to determine the concentration of H₂O₂ instead of an electrochemical assay. At 652 nm absorbance, the assay exhibited a linear range of 0–1 mM, with the limit of detection of 0.9 μM. This work showed potential for a fast and portable strip test of H₂O₂ concentration.¹⁵

Like Pt, palladium (Pd) shows many advantageous properties, including its high electrocatalytic activity.¹⁶ Guler et al. investigated its potential for H₂O₂ detection using carbon electrodes coated with Ag-Pd NPs/Naflon (NA) on RGO nanocomposites, where NA was used as a protective membrane to the electrode’s surface. The RGO was functionalized with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) before exposure to Ag-Pd NPs/NA. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization confirmed the formation of the structure. Catalytic performance was tested through cyclic voltammetry, and the result indicated enhanced electrochemical activity of the Ag-Pt/NA electrode compared with only NA, Ag-NA, and Pt-NA electrodes, proving the synergistic effect of Ag and Pt. Samples of milk were analyzed to validate the sensor’s applicability, and the H₂O₂ concentration was determined to be accurate, with deviations within 3% of the known values, suggesting the sensor’s readiness for analysis of relevant samples.¹⁷

Overall, the detection of H₂O₂ using Ag-based BMNP structures presents a novel method that is both sensitive, stable, and enzyme independent. Measurement of H₂O₂ using Ag-based BMNPs can indicate the concentration of glucose as well as the enzyme’s activity in the oxidation pathway — potentially providing more information than just glucose sensing.

Au-based Nanoparticles: AU-based NPs as sensor catalysts

Au-Pt NPs have been used frequently as catalysts in oxidation reactions since the noble metal synergy shows sound synergistic effects. For example, Pt can act as the leading site for a dehydrogenation reaction, and Au and Pt can synergistically facilitate oxidative desorption and CO adsorption.¹⁸ These synergistic catalytic activities of Au-Pt NPs have been utilized recently in glucose sensors for diabetes.

For example, Shim et al. developed core-shell structured Au-Pt NPs with Au cores and Pt shells coated onto a carbon electrode (Figure 1B–1C). They were synthetically produced and purified by centrifugation, with additional Au incorporated in the nanochannels. The Au-Pt nanoshells showed improved sensitivity, stability, and selectivity. The fabricated sensor possessed desirable dynamic ranges and detection limits as listed in PBS saline solution at 0.35 V potential. No sensitivity data was reported, but a stability test indicated only a 5% deviation in measurement after 30 days at a pH of 7.5. Also, minimal interference effect from other bio-compounds was observed.¹⁹ This result showed that Au-Pt sensors might exhibit resistance to other interfering molecules, thus, showing their selectivity.

Furthermore, Lin et al. synthesized a Au-Pt alloy using a hydrothermal reactor, loaded on nano-carbon carriers, and then modified onto glassy carbon electrodes. The result indicated that the optimal Au:Pt ratio for catalytic activity was 1:1. Stability testing was performed using 10mM glucose over an applied range of -0.6 to 0.6 volts for four days. After two days, the modified electrode maintained 95.4% of its initial current response, and after four days, the modified electrode maintained 84.5% of its initial response. Once the electrode was cleaned and analyzed between -0.5 V and 1.3 V with a newly fabricated electrode, the result was similar (Figure 1D).²⁰

Doped electrodes are a novel approach for the design of AuPt NPs-enhanced sensors. To do this, researchers synthesized a boron-doped diamond electrode, and electrochemically deposited Au-Pt was the boron-doped diamond electrode’s surface.²¹ The sensor’s optimal composition was observed at a 1:1 Au:Pt molar ratio, consistent with orthogonal studies. A stability study indicated 93% retention of initial current and observed high selectivity toward glucose; additionally, studies showed acceptable reproducibility with 3.2% reproducibility. Primarily used to measure glucose concentration directly, Au-based bimetallic nanostructures also show versatility for H₂O₂ detection applications. Zhou et al. published research where Au-Pt NPs were electrodeposited onto molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanoflowers for enzyme-free sensing of H₂O₂. The entire structure was then placed on a glassy carbon electrode. 

Figure 1. A) Schematic of the synthesis of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-NH₂-Au@PdNPs. Reprinted with permission from reference 24, copyright 2020 American Chemical Society. B) High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope (HAADF-STEM) image of Au@Pt nanoparticles and C) of Au@Pt/Au nanoparticles. Reprinted with permission from reference 19, copyright 2019 Elsevier. D) Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) of Pt/C, Au/C, and PtAu in 0.08M NaOH in the absence and presence of 10mM glucose. Reprinted with permission from reference 20, copyright 2020 Elsevier. E) Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) responses of the Au-Pd/MoS₂/GCE in H₂O₂ with different concentrations from 0.8μm to 10mM in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) solution. Reprinted with permission from reference 25, copyright 2020 Elsevier.

The AuPt-MoS₂ nanoflowers enhanced the electrode’s performance. Like other Au-Pt structures, good stability was demonstrated (up to 20 days), with the response retaining 101.1% of the initial current response, while recording minimal interfering effects from other biomolecules.²²

Because of its similar characteristics to Pt, Pd has also been used in conjunction with Au to substitute enzymatic biosensors in glucose monitoring. Au-Pd can enhance the catalytic activity of MoS₂ nanosheets because of the metal-metal interactions, promoting ion transfer to nanosheets, increasing the surface charge, and improving the affinity towards substrates.²³ Both factors contribute to the peroxidase-like activity of Au-Pd nanomaterials.

Andeniyi et al. developed nanomagnet-silica NPs decorated with Au-Pd. After synthesis of the magnetic NPs, Au-Pd was added via self-assembly. Interestingly, compared to horseradish-peroxidase, the peroxidase activity of the NPs was shown to be higher with a 70% increase in activity while following typical Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics, attributed to the synergistic interactions between Au and Pd. The addition of these nanostructures to a biosensor demonstrates improved selectivity, sensitivity, and stability compared to horse radish peroxidase — a known H₂O₂ catalysis (Figure 1A). Thus, these NPs have enhanced colorimetric biosensing ability for glucose detection.²⁴

Furthermore, Li et al. synthesized MoS₂ nanosheets modified with Au-Pd NPs using a facile thermal co-reduction method, coated onto glassy carbon electrodes. Impressively, the resulting electrode acted as a bifunctional sensor for both glucose and H₂O₂. The synthesized non-enzymatic glucose sensor showed optimal linear response and sensitivity, as in the H₂O₂ application. Additionally, the modified electrode showed high selectivity to both H₂O₂ and glucose (Figure 1E). After 15 days, the electrode’s performance indicated a 98% retention of the initial current response, providing strong stability. Determination of reproducibility for the five independent sensors found the RSD for glucose to be 8.2% and 7.5% for H₂O₂.²⁵

The listed studies indicated the applicability and versatility of Au-based BMNPs in glucose detection. The resulting structures showed various ranges, thus offering customization to specific needs. Besides, the sensors remained selective toward glucose and stable in a biological environment. A summary of current advances in Ag-based and Au-based noble bimetallic NP structure for glucose detection is found in Table 1.

Conclusion

There is a rising demand for an alternative, enzyme-free approach to monitoring glucose levels to manage diabetes. The catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of BMNPs structures combined with the synergistic effects of different metal elements have the potential to provide more accurate and reliable glucose detection, both directly and by indirectly measuring H₂O₂. Here, we detailed various advances in the synthesis, characterization, and performance of Ag-based and Au-based BMNPs sensors. Overall, these structures provide flexibility in detection range, sensitivity, detection limits, and exhibit high selectivity and stability, properties that are highly sought after for helping diabetes patients monitor hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia episodes. Nonetheless, despite promising results, in vivo experiments utilizing these modified electrodes still need to be performed. Therefore, future studies in the field should focus on validation in animals and ultimately to clinical translation. In the process, BMNPs have the potential to reduce invasiveness to the patient and improve device stability, two imperatives for diabetes management research and biosensing applications in general.

Table 1. Summary of Ag-based and Au-based Bimetallic NP Structure in Glucose Detection.

Bimetallic NP-Modified Structure	Detected Molecules	Range (mM)	Detection Limit (μM)	Sensitivity (μA mM-1cm-2)	Ref
Ag-Au-CU2O on RGO	H2O2	0.05 - 50.75	0.1	0.14	10
Ag-Au on RGO	H2O2	0.1 - 10	0.57	112	11
Ag-Au/PDA	H2O2	0 - 0.055; 0.055 - 2.775	0.12	12966 2534	12
Ag-PT on RGO	H2O2	0.005 - 1.5; 1.5 - 7.0	0.04	699.6 402.7	11
Ag-Pt on RGO	H2O2	0 - 1	0.9	Not Reported (NR)	15
Ag-Pd-NA on RGO	H2O2	0.002 - 19.5	0.7	1307	17
Au-Pt	Glucose	0.01 - 10	3	NR	20
Au-Pt	Glucose	0.0005 - 0.01; 0.01 - 10	0.4457	NR	19
Au-Pt	Glucose	0.01 - 7.5	7.7	NR	21
Au-Pt-MoS2	H2O2	0.01 - 19.070	0.39	142.68	22
Au-Pd - Fe2O4SiO2	Glucose	0.0001 - 0.06	0.06	NR	24
Au-Pt-MoS2	Glucose	0.5 - 20; 0.0008 - 10	400 0.16	184.9	25

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