Advances in electrochemical sensors for real-time glucose monitoring

Abstract

Technological advancements are revolutionizing diabetic care worldwide, particularly in the realm of glucose monitoring. Traditionally invasive and cumbersome, glucose monitoring is shifting towards less invasive methods, enhancing patient quality of life and reducing risks associated with hypo- and hyperglycemia. Wearable biosensors, focusing on sweat and interstitial fluid, offer novel avenues for early disease detection and personalized point-of-care testing. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of recent strides in wearable sweat sensors, including historical perspectives, electrochemical sensing mechanisms, material advancements, and the role of nanomaterials in enhancing sensor performance. By examining the evolution of glucose monitoring devices and highlighting commercially available devices, the review underscores the wide-ranging utility of electrochemical sensors in glucose monitoring. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic sensing mechanisms, potentiometric, amperometric/voltammetric sensors, ion-selective electrodes, and biosensors are discussed in detail, alongside various materials employed to optimize sensor performance. The burgeoning interest in nanomaterial-enabled sensor platforms signifies a promising future for sweat-based glucose monitoring, with potential implications for personalized healthcare and disease management.