Lactate biosensor based on a bionanocomposite composed of titanium oxide nanoparticles, photocatalytically reduced graphene, and lactate oxidase

We have developed a lactate biosensor based on a bionanocomposite (BNC) composed of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs), photocatalytically reduced graphene, and lactate oxidase. Graphene oxide was photochemically reduced (without using any chemical reagents) in the presence of TiO2-NPs to give graphene nanosheets that were characterized by atomic force microscopy, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show the nanosheets to possess few oxygen functionalities only and to be decorated with TiO2-NPs. These nanosheets typically are at least 1 μm long and have a thickness of 4.2 nm. A BNC was obtained by mixing lactate oxidase with the nanosheets and immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. The resulting biosensor was applied to the determination of lactate. Compared to a sensor without TiO2-NPs, the sensor exhibits higher sensitivity (6.0 μA mM-1), a better detection limit (0.6 μM), a wider linear response (2.0 μM to 0.40 mM), and better reproducibility (3.2 %). [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2013 Springer-Verlag Wien.