Multifunctional MOF-5/Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrodes for Enhanced Nonenzymatic Glucose Detection and Supercapacitor Performance in Self-Powered Wearable Devices

The increasing demand for durable energy sources in wearable health-tracking devices has driven the development of self-powered sensing technologies. Recent advancements focus on multifunctional materials to enhance these systems’ performance. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are attracting significant attention as electrode components for electrochemical sensors and energy storage systems due to their high surface area, electrocatalytic activity, and compatibility with biological systems. This study explores the growth of a zinc-based MOF (MOF-5) and its nanocomposite with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), evaluating their effectiveness as nonenzymatic glucose sensors and supercapacitors. The integration of MOF-5 with rGO through the emergence of active sites leverages synergistic effects, producing a hybrid electrode with exceptional glucose-sensing capabilities. The MOF-5/rGO nanocomposite exhibits a sensitivity of 5693.4 μA mM–1 cm–2 and a low detection limit of 0.7 μM within a glucose concentration range of 0.005–5 mM. Additionally, the nanocomposite shows impressive supercapacitive performance, with a specific capacitance of 334 F g–1 at a current density of 1 A g–1. A prototype based on the MOF-5/rGO nanocomposite was developed to assess its potential as a self-powered glucose sensor. Overall, the MOF-5/rGO nanocomposite demonstrates significant promise for simultaneously detecting glucose and efficiently storing energy.