Low-limit acetone detection system combining quantum conductance and capacitance signal analyses derived from oxidized single-layer graphene

This paper introduces a cutting-edge sensing technology that combines quantum conductance and capacitance signal analyses extracted from impedance measurements for the detection of acetone in gaseous or liquid forms. The electrochemical oxidation of a single-layer graphene (SLG) was employed through chronoamperometry, resulting in enhanced acetone sensing capability, enabling potential diabetes control using acetone as a marker. The modified SLG exhibits a distinct impedance response, offering access to the concentration of oxidized groups as a secondary signal in the capacitive Nyquist diagram. This methodology involves measuring the quantum conductance and capacitance of oxidized single-layer graphene by the Quantum Rate theory and applying these highly sensitive signals to measure acetone. Significantly low limits of detection were attained (∼ 0.13 nM). This study confirms that measuring the quantum properties of chemically modified graphene layers can be used to track environmental changes caused by different acetone concentrations. The findings reported here constitute a proof-of-concept that rightly modified 2D-carbonaceous materials can serve as effective analytical and sensing tools for the detection of acetone in the medical field of diabetes management.

Keywords

Acetone sensing, Diabetic control, Electrochemical transducer methods, Modified graphene, Quantum capacitance, Quantum mechanical sensing mechanism, Quantum rate