Enzymatic bioelectrodes based on ferrocene-modified metal-organic layers for electrochemical glucose detection

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are often applied for enzyme immobilization, while they are limited for bioelectrochemical applications due to poor electronic conductivity. Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic layers (MOLs) with an ultra-thin lamellar structure can effectively shorten the electron transport path and improve the electron transfer rate. In this study, ferrocene as an electron mediator is covalently bound to a 2D-MOL (Fc-NH₂-Hf-BTB-MOL) to accelerate electron transfer between the electrode surface and enzyme. Glucose oxidase (GOx) is immobilized on the electrode modified with Fc-NH₂-Hf-BTB-MOL with the addition of chitosan and carboxylated carbon nanotubes. Electrochemical tests such as cyclic voltammetry are carried out on the glucose biosensor, which shows linear detection ranges of 5 ~ 400 μM and 3 ~ 9 mM, with a detection limit of 3.9 μM (S/N = 3). Therefore, this strategy of construction of an enzyme electrode based on 2D-MOLs with enhanced electron transfer results in a biosensor with excellent specificity and activity for practical glucose detection.