Single‐Step Laser Irradiation for Synchronous Formation of Graphene‐Platinum Nanohybrids with Tunable Microstructures Toward High‐Performance Enzyme‐Free Glucose Sensors

Abstract

AbstractManufacturing of metal‐decorated carbon electrodes as a critical component of enzyme‐free glucose sensors has become an advanced strategy for fast and accurate glucose monitoring. By selectively irradiating the pre‐prepared chloroplatinic acid/polyimide (H2PtCl6/PI) precursor with photothermal energy, a creatively synchronized laser processing protocol is developed for assembling integrated three‐electrode system with platinum nanoparticle decorated laser‐induced graphene (PtNP‐LIG). In addition to the swift manufacturing of designable structures, laser power and raw‐material dosage are systematically explored as two key parameters to understand the process‐regulated microstructure and electro‐catalytic performance. Notably, by discovering the tuning mechanism for optimizing laser power‐dependent specific surface area of graphene backbone from 81.61 to 197.53 m2 g−1 and for enhancing H2PtCl6 concentration dependent Pt content from 0.75% to 4.16%, the sensitivity of PtNP‐LIG sensors to glucose oxidation has dramatically improved from 203.14 to 959.07 µA mM−1 cm−2, following closely the adjustable discipline of electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) from 37.75 to 104.19 mm2. Along with rapid response time, low limit of detection, and broad linear range, the proposed protocol is highly beneficial for designing and manufacturing next‐generation wearable human‐health related devices.