Enzyme free glucose sensing by amino-functionalized silicon quantum dot

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) are increasingly utilized in biological applications due to their biocompatibility and optical characteristics.
• Amino-functionalized SiQDs (NH₂@SiQDs) offer enhanced water solubility, high fluorescence quantum yield, and optical stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize NH₂@SiQDs using a microemulsion method for potential biosensing applications.
• To develop a non-enzymatic glucose biosensor utilizing the fluorescence quenching properties of NH₂@SiQDs.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of NH₂@SiQDs using silicon tetrachloride and allylamine via a microemulsion method.
• Development of a glucose biosensor based on the fluorescence quenching of NH₂@SiQDs.
• Characterization of sensor performance, including linearity and detection limit.

Main Results:

• NH₂@SiQDs demonstrated good water-solubility, high fluorescence quantum yield, and optical stability.
• A linear fluorescence response to glucose was observed in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶–9.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L.
• A low detection limit of 3.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L was achieved for glucose detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed NH₂@SiQDs-based glucose sensor is effective for non-enzymatic detection.
• The sensor successfully analyzed glucose levels in human serum samples, yielding results comparable to traditional methods.
• NH₂@SiQDs show significant potential for developing advanced biosensing platforms.