A Wearable PVA Film Supported TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles Decorated NaNbO<sub>3</sub> Nanoflakes‐Based SERS Sensor for Simultaneous Detection of Metabolites and Biomolecules in Human Sweat Samples
Lignesh Durai, Sushmee Badhulika
Abstract
Abstract Sweat is one of the non‐invasive diagnostic biofluids that provides critical information about human health. In this work, a wearable sweat sensor integrated with a polymer‐based fluid absorption layer modified with titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles decorated sodium niobate (NaNbO 3 ) nanoflakes in porous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film matrix is demonstrated for the detection of vital metabolites (such as glucose and urea) and biomolecules (ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA)) in human sweat samples via surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The TiO 2 @NaNbO 3 /PVA (SERS patch) exhibits a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.50, 0.80, 1.00, and 100 m m towards AA, glucose, UA, and urea, respectively. The SERS patch displays a high enhancement factor with a low accumulation time of 20s which can be ascribed to the surface coordination between the TiO 2 @NaNbO 3 and the analytes leading to interfacial charge‐transfer transition (ICTT). Besides, the photo‐induced charge transfer (PICT) resonance significantly amplifies the SERS signal. The SERS patch is successful in the simultaneous determination of AA, glucose, UA, and urea in simulated sweat samples with minimal mutual interference. The high efficacy of the SERS patch proves it as an ideal platform for a wide range of wearable healthcare monitoring applications.