Cu NPs@NiF electrode preparation by rapid one-step electrodeposition and its sensing performance for glucose

Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were uniformly deposited on a nickel foam substrate (Cu NPs@NiF electrode) rapidly by one-step electrochemical deposition in the aqueous solution of copper sulfate, which can be successfully applied to catalyze glucose oxidation, and act as a non-enzymatic glucose sensor. The specific structure and morphology of Cu NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electro-oxidation of glucose on Cu NPs@NiF catalytic oxidation of process was proved by cyclic voltammetry (CV). It is found that Cu NPs show remarkable catalytic activity to glucose, involving in multistep catalytic of Cu NPs, in which the transform from Cu (II) into Cu (III) is the key to success. The performances of electrode sensitivity were investigated by CV and chronoamperometry methods in alkaline conditions. It is found that the developed sensor had excellent glucose sensing performances, including two-section broad linear detection ranges (0.002–0.650 mM and 0.65–6.00 mM), high corresponding sensitivity (2679 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹ and 1122 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹), fast response time (<3 s) and a low detection limit (0.5 μM, S/N = 3). In short, the Cu NPs@NiF electrode developed by low-cost, efficient and simple preparation method is expected to be used for the development of non-enzymatic glucose sensors.