Dual-mode glucose sensing: Colorimetric chemical sensors using silver or gold nanoparticles embedded within polymethacrylate matrix

We suggest sensor systems based on the gold and silver nanoparticles embedded within the polymethacrylate matrix (PMM) for colorimetric determination of glucose. A feature of such sensors is the exclusion of the use of toxic solvents in their manufacture and application. In addition, silver and gold nanoparticles are stabilized in a solid transparent polymer, which prevents migration into the environment. We studied the conditions of interaction between the gold and silver nanoparticles and matrix components by evaluating the influence of such factors as solution pH, the amount of nanoparticles within the polymer matrix, the contact time, and the analyte concentration upon the analytical signal. Dual-signal spectrophotometric and colorimetric approaches of using PMM-Ag⁰ / PMM-Au° can be used for the determination of glucose in saliva in the range of 0.1–5.6 mM with the limit of detection of 0.04 mM and 0.1–1.0 mM with the limit of detection of 0.03 mM, accordingly.