Iron-Sulfur-Based Electrochemical Glucose Sensor and Fuel Cell: Towards Self-Powering Biosensor Applications

Highlights Glucose sensors which can generate power have great potential in diabetes therapy and livestock management. FeS and Fe3S4 based electrodes performed well as glucose sensors and fuel cells. Using thiol linkers 4ATP and BDT enhanced electrode performance. BDT-FeS based electrode showed the best performance in sensing and fuel cell modes. ABSTRACT. Self-powering biosensors hold immense potential in addressing crucial challenges in diabetes therapy, particularly the need for continuous sensing devices and actuators capable of drug release through electroresponsive control systems. This study introduces novel electrodes with dual functionalities, enabling glucose sensing while also generating power. FeS and Fe 3 S 4 -based enzymatic glucose electrodes were optimized using aromatic thiol linkers, namely 4-aminothiophenol (4ATP) and benzene-1,4-dithiol (BDT), to enhance their performance in both sensing and fuel cell modes. The modified enzyme electrodes, combining FeS/Fe 3 S 4 with BDT, exhibited promising results when employed as glucose sensors and fuel cells. In sensing mode, the optimized BDT-FeS-based glucose electrode achieved a remarkable sensitivity of 14.4 µA.mM.cm -2 and a lower limit of detection of 0.43 mM for glucose detection. Additionally, in fuel cell mode, it demonstrated the ability to generate a substantial power output of 2.8 µW.cm -2 . This study presents a pioneering self-powered glucose electrode with dual sensing and power generation capabilities, potentially revolutionizing continuous glucose monitoring wearables by reducing dependence on batteries. This technology can lead to significant advancements in both healthcare and agricultural settings. Keywords: Aromatic thiols, Biofuel cell, Diabetes therapy, Glucose monitoring, Self-powered biosensors.