Glucose 0xidase-functionalized Nd1-xEuxNiO3 thin films for glucose detection
Glucose is an indispensable compound for physical activities, which are directly related to metabolic human processes. Therefore, its control is important for disease control and monitoring of metabolic processes. The literature describes several materials and composites for the construction of glucose biosensors. Among these, the family of oxides RNiO3, (R=rare earth) has been studied because they have characteristics that are interesting for several applications involving biosensors, catalysis, electronic devices, etc. These oxides (R ≠ La) crystallize in the orthorhombically distorted perovskite structure with different physical properties, such as the presence of a metal-insulator transition that can be modulated by doping, lattice voltage, and the introduction of defects. In this work, the sensitivity of the transport properties of Nd1-xEuxNiO3 films (x=0; 0.30; 0.35) functionalized with GOx enzymes (Glucose Oxidase) to the presence of glucose was investigated. The films were prepared by chemical solution deposition, X-ray diffraction characterizations reveal the presence of the desired crystalline phase. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal a homogeneous and crack-free surface microstructure, with thicknesses of the order of 320nm. Preliminary measurements of electrical resistivity versus temperature in the films reveal the presence of the MI transition ranging from 200 to 330K for the films with x=0 and 0.35, respectively. For the construction of the biosensors, gold electrodes (~100 nm) were deposited and functionalized with cysteamine and GOx. Electrical resistance measurements at room temperature were used to monitor the interaction of glucose on these films. Films with x=0 and 0.35 showed an expressive response to the presence of glucose even at concentrations of the order of 10-12 ML-1. Interference, selectivity, repeatability, and reproducibility of the results were evaluated. The introduction of Eu3+ in the NdNiO3 matrix modifies its electronic structure, this seems to have a direct relationship with the sensing response of these devices, in fact, the literature describes the reaction mechanism as dependent on the Ni3+/Ni2+ ratio and the oxygen vacancies present in nickelates. Preliminary results suggest that these compounds may be excellent candidates for the construction of glucose biosensors.