Zinc oxide (ZnO) has emerged as a leading material in the field of biosensors. However, the absence of redox couple is proving to be the major hindrance towards the development of a ZnO based third generation biosensor. Development of a composite matrix can be a possible way towards the realization of ZnO based mediator-less biosensor. In the present work pulsed laser deposition, chemical method and ion implantation has been explored for realization of ZnO based matrix which can be exploited for biosensor applications in mediator-free environment. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.