Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an intermediate
molecule generated in numerous peroxidase assays used to measure concentrations
of biomolecules such as glucose, galactose, and lactate. Here, we
develop a solid-state reagent-free chemiresistive H2O2 sensor, which can measure H2O2 over
a wide measuring range of 0.5–1000 ppm (0.015–29.4 mM).
The sensor was fabricated using a network of functionalized single-walled
carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as a sensitive layer and a xurographically
patterned gold leaf as a contact electrode. The SWCNTs were functionalized
with crystal violet to impart selective detection of H2O2. The crystal violet was self-assembled on the SWCNT
film and subsequently polymerized via cyclic voltammetry to improve
its retention on the sensing layer. The functionalized sensor exhibited
good selectivity against common interferents such as uric acid, urea,
glucose, and galactose. In addition, the sensor was used to measure
in situ H2O2 generated during peroxidase assays
performed using enzymes like glucose oxidase. The sensor was tested
in standard buffer solutions for both enzymes. The glucose oxidase
assay was also demonstrated in spiked pooled human plasma samples.
The glucose oxidase-coated sensor exhibited a glucose detection range
of 2–20 mM in standard buffer and blood plasma solutions, with
a good recovery rate (∼95–107%) for glucose measurements
in blood plasma.