Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots/Polyaniline Nanocomposites for Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring Using Wearable Sweat Biosensor

Understanding the temporal fluctuations of glucose is essential for effective diabetes management. Wearable sweat biosensors have emerged as promising tools for noninvasive glucose monitoring. However, the rigidity of traditional electrocatalytic layers in these sensors often causes cracking during repeated movements, leading to reduced sensitivity and stability. To address this issue, we developed a flexible sensing electrode by integrating carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs) with polyaniline (PANI). This CNQDs/PANI nanocomposite demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance, making it highly suitable for noninvasive glucose monitoring. The nanosized CNQDs, characterized by their high surface area and edge-rich architecture, significantly enhance the sensitivity of PANI by promoting efficient charge transfer and ion transport. Additionally, the pyridinic nitrogen functionalities in CNQDs improve the otherwise low conductivity of PANI in neutral pH environments by facilitating proton retention and introducing negative surface charges, thereby enhancing charge mobility. We demonstrated effective glucose detection in artificial sweat by strategically immobilizing glucose oxidase within the flexible electrode. The electrode retained 94.88% of its initial performance after extensive bending tests, with no visible cracks in the nanocomposite layer. These results highlight the potential of the CNQDs/PANI nanocomposite as a robust and reliable platform for wearable biosensing applications.