Microfabricated Ti/Ni electrodes for non-enzymatic glucose detection: Mechanistic insights and interference analysis in blood-mimicking conditions

Accurate glucose monitoring is essential for diabetes management, and while enzymatic sensors dominate the market, their limitations in stability and reliability under extreme conditions require alternative approaches. This study presents a non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on Ti/Ni electrodes fabricated via microfabrication techniques, designed to operate across a broad glucose concentration range (0–30 mM) and under physiological conditions. Electrochemical evaluations using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry confirm the catalytic oxidation of glucose on Ni surfaces, demonstrating high sensitivity and selectivity. The sensor achieves a LoD of 1.29 mM, a LoQ of 3.93 mM, in alkaline solution. Interference analysis with common blood analytes such as uric acid, acetaminophen, and ascorbic acid, reveals that Ti/Ni electrodes outperform copper-based alternatives in minimizing cross-reactivity, meeting ISO 15197 standards for selectivity. Integrating NaOH-modified cellulose fibers for pH stabilization further supports the sensor's adaptability for in situ applications. These findings underscore the potential of Ti/Ni electrodes to enhance the development of stable, reliable, and non-enzymatic glucose sensors for clinical and wearable technologies.