A Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor based on Copper Oxide Nanowires-Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

A hybrid electrocatalyst was synthesized with copper oxide nanowires (CuO NWs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to detect glucose in alkaline environment. TEM, SEM and FTIR characterization demonstrated that CuO NWs and SWCNTs were excellently integrated in as-prepared catalyst with good morphologic appearance and structural properties. The biosensor realized an excellent sensitivity of 2191.3 μA cm−2 mM−1 for glucose in low concentration from 1 μM to 34 μM, and a fine overall sensitivity of 761.5 μA cm−2 mM−1 within a wide linear range from 1 μM to 2.67 mM. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) was measured down to 45.6 nM (S/N = 3) with a fast response time of 1–2 s. It was also found that CuO NWs in the hybrid composite greatly improved the selectivity of the sensor while SWCNTs largely benefited the response toward glucose. More importantly, interference from L-ascorbic acid, uric acid, acetaminophen, fructose, and sucrose in physiological concentration were nearly negligible. The present work would be beneficial to explore nanostructured electrocatalyst for non-enzymatic glucose detection.