Nanostructured Materials in Glucose Biosensing: From Fundamentals to Smart Healthcare Applications
Rajaram Rajamohan, Seho Sun
Abstract
The rapid development of nanotechnology has significantly transformed the design and performance of glucose biosensors, leading to enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and real-time monitoring capabilities. This review highlights recent advances in glucose-sensing platforms facilitated by nanomaterials, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanostructures, two-dimensional materials, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The integration of these nanoscale materials into electrochemical, optical, and wearable biosensors has addressed longstanding challenges associated with enzyme stability, detection limits, and invasiveness. Special emphasis is placed on non-enzymatic glucose sensors, flexible and wearable devices, and hybrid nanocomposite systems. The multifunctional properties of nanomaterials, such as large surface area, excellent conductivity, and biocompatibility, have enabled the development of next-generation sensors for clinical, point-of-care, and personal healthcare applications. The review also discusses emerging trends such as biodegradable nanosensors, AI-integrated platforms, and smart textiles, which are poised to drive the future of glucose monitoring toward more sustainable and personalized healthcare solutions.