Residual biomass-derived carbon materials for fabrication of non-enzymatic glucose sensors

The detection of glucose holds significant relevance in many areas. This study focuses on the sustainable valorization and management of residual biomass for the fabrication of a sustainable and efficient non-enzymatic glucose sensor. Three plant residues were utilized: Typha domingensis (TD), Cladium mariscus (CM) and Phragmites australis (PA). The transformation of these residues into functional carbon materials was achieved through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), followed by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and nickel (Ni) doping, and then subjected to thermal treatment at 600 °C. The morphology and structural properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Elemental composition was analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The electrocatalytic performance of the various catalysts was evaluated in 1 M NaOH solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry tests (CA). Among the developed materials, the one derived from Typha domingensis , an invasive species in many wetlands, activated with KOH and doped with Ni, exhibited notable glucose sensing performance, with high sensitivity (85.86 μA/(cm 2 ·mM), a low limit of detection (45.13 μM), and a wide linear detection range up to 6 mM. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity toward glucose oxidation in the presence of common endogenous interfering substances. These results demonstrate that materials derived from residual biomass show great potential for the development of sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient non-enzymatic glucose sensors. • Non-enzymatic glucose sensor made from residual plant biomass. • KOH activation and Ni doping enhance glucose detection performance. • Typha domingensis -derived material shows superior performance. • The sensor achieved a low detection limit and a linear range extending to 6 mM.