Laser-Induced Carbon Nanofibers as Permeable Nonenzymatic Sensor for Biomarker Detection in Breath Aerosol

A novel breathable electrochemical enzyme-free sensor made from laser-induced carbon nanofibers embedding Ni nanocatalysts (Ni-LCNFs) is proposed for the capture and detection of biomarkers in breath aerosol. The permeable Ni-LCNF electrodes were fabricated on filter paper where a hydrophobic wax barrier was created to confine the device's working area. The device was tested with aerosolized glucose, which was collected on the porous Ni-LCNF electrode. After a subsequent drying step, 0.1 M NaOH was dropped onto the device, and the electrocatalytic reaction of the captured glucose enabled by a Ni nanocatalyst was monitored via cyclic voltammetry (CV). Taking the oxidation/reduction peak ratios from CV as analytical signals improves the reliability and reproducibility of the glucose measurement. In the measurement step, closing the sensing area with adhesive tape, named <i>closed device</i>, enhances the detection sensitivity and enables the detection limit of 0.71 μM, which is 11.5 and 50 times, respectively, better when compared to the <i>open device</i> configuration. Measurements with simulated glucose aerosols containing clinically relevant glucose levels and comparison to screen-printed electrodes demonstrated the device's superiority for breath analysis. Although <i>in vivo</i> validation studies must be conducted in future work, the proposed device results in a captivating point-of-care device integratable in breathing masks and breath analysis devices.