Research Article Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles for Glucose Sensor

Saira Shaheen; Rabia Nasar; Sidra Khalid; Muhammad Anas Toheed; Shamsa Kanwal; Sidra Ashraf; Sanam

Authors

Saira Shaheen Department of Physics, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, 54770, Pakistan
Rabia Nasar Department of Physics, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, 54770, Pakistan
Sidra Khalid Department of Physics, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, 54770, Pakistan
Muhammad Anas Toheed Department of Physics, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, 54770, Pakistan
Shamsa Kanwal Department of Physics, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, 54770, Pakistan
Sidra Ashraf Department of Physics, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, 54770, Pakistan
Sanam Department of Physics, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, 54770, Pakistan

Keywords:

Zinc oxide, XRD, UV, Glucose, Cyclic Voltammetry, Nanoparticles

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have gained notable attention for their multifunctional role in biomedical applications, particularly in non-enzymatic glucose sensing. In this work, the hydrothermal synthesis of highly crystalline ZnO nanoparticles with controlled morphology and size is achieved under optimized reaction parameters. Comprehensive physicochemical characterizations were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis spectroscopy, confirming the formation of phase-pure hexagonal wurtzite ZnO with nanoscale dimensions and high surface purity. The optical analysis revealed a direct bandgap energy of ~3.3 eV, supporting efficient electron transfer kinetics. Electrochemical investigations demonstrated excellent glucose sensing performance, including long-term stability, high sensitivity, rapid response, high sensitivity, low detection limit, rapid response time, and long-term stability, attributed to the enhanced surface reactivity and electron transport of the nanostructures. These findings not only advance the understanding of ZnO nanostructures in glucose biosensing but also position hydrothermally synthesized ZnO nanoparticles as a cost-effective and scalable candidate for integration into next-generation biomedical diagnostic devices.

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