Naked-eye point-of-care testing platform based on a pH-responsive superwetting surface: Toward the non-invasive detection of glucose

Abstract

Herein, we demonstrate a contact angle (CA)-based naked-eye point-of-care testing platform with rapid pH-responsive superwettability that can switch between superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic properties for quantitative biosensing. The CA of the droplet on the pH-responsive surface approached ~0° at pH 1 and conversely reached 161.4° ± 6.2° at pH 13. We realized the sensitive detection of the pH, urea, and glucose by monitoring the changes in the CA. The traditional invasive diagnosis of diabetes causes pain and brings the risk of infections, such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis, to the user. To address this issue, we implemented a method for the non-invasive diagnosis of diabetes in human saliva and urine, which avoided the significant drawbacks mentioned above. The accuracy of this method was demonstrated by comparing the results with those from commercial glucometers and theoretical calculations. Interestingly, we successfully monitored glucose levels in sweat before, during, and after cycling. The sensing performance was barely influenced by the temperature, elevation, and droplet color, illustrating promise for expansion to hundreds of millions of potential customers, especially those with color blindness or color weakness. Given its low cost, lack of instruments, and rapid response (within 1 s), this strategy might overcome the limitations of the mechanical stability and durability of superwettable materials and thus might extend the industrial-scale application of bioinspired superwettable systems.