A novel self-powered sensor based on Ni(OH)2/Fe2O3 photoanode for glucose detection by converting solar energy into electricity

Abstract

• A photo fuel cell (PFC) based self-powered sensor is successfully constructed. • The sensing is powered by converting solar energy without external power inputting. • The glucose sensitivity is 24.59 μW cm −2 mM −1 on Ni(OH) 2 /Fe 2 O 3 self-powered sensor. • It is much higher than 3.53 μW cm −2 mM −1 obtained on bare Fe 2 O 3 based sensor. • Ni(OH) 2 enhances the charge injection and promotes glucose oxidation kinetics. Self-powered sensors have great application prospects in the field of analytic chemistry because they can determine analytes without inputting external electricity. In this work, Fe 2 O 3 electrode with nanorod morphology was synthesized by chemical bath method, then a layer of Ni(OH) 2 was decorated on the surface of Fe 2 O 3 nanorods via successive ion adsorption. Furthermore, a Ni(OH) 2 /Fe 2 O 3 -based photo fuel cell (PFC) was fabricated as a novel self-powered sensor. The produced maximum power density ( P max ) of the sensor shows a linear relationship with glucose concentrations in the range of 0.05–0.25 mM with a sensitivity of 24.59 μW cm –2 mM –1 , which is much higher than that of bare Fe 2 O 3 -based self-powered sensor (only 3.53 μW cm –2 mM –1 ). The better performance achieved on the Ni(OH) 2 /Fe 2 O 3 -based sensor is because Ni(OH) 2 has high electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation and it can improve photo-generated charge inject efficiency ( η inj ) to substrate. In addition, the sensor also possesses good selectivity, stability and applicability for glucose sensing. In a word, this work provides a non-enzymatic, simple-construction, cost-effective and sustainable PFC based self-powered sensor, which may guide future designs for the determination of analytes and offer a new route for utilization of widespread solar energy.