Glucose Sensors Using Lipoic Acid Self-Assembled Monolayers

A novel approach to fabricating high-performance glucose sensors is reported, which is based on the process of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). In this study, we have particularly used ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid (LA) SAMs for the glucose sensors. To our best knowledge, this study is the first one to use LA as SAMs for this purpose. N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) were deliberately attached at the same time on the LA SAM. Then, glucose oxidase ($GO_X$) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were sequentially immobilized. Thus, the HRP/$GO_X$/NHS-EDC/LA-SAM/Au/Cr/glass working electrode was developed. The glucose-sensing capability of the fabricated sensor was systematically measured by the use of cyclic voltammetry in the range of 1-30 mM glucose in phosphate-buffered saline. The result showed a good sensitivity, that is, as high as $27.5{\mu}A/(mM{\cdot}cm^2)$. This result conspicuously demonstrates that LA can be one of promising substances for use as SAMs for accurately monitoring trace levels of glucose concentration in human blood.