Addition of porous cuprous oxide to a Nafion film strongly improves the performance of a nonenzymatic glucose sensor

Abstract

The direct electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose in alkaline medium at an electrode modified with microcubes of porous cuprous oxide is reported. Compared to the glassy carbon electrode, a substantial increase in the efficiency of the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose is observed starting at around +0.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The pH dependence of the response was examined by cyclic voltammetry. This non-enzymatic amperometric sensor may be used for non-enzymatic detection of glucose with a high and reproducible sensitivity of 10.95 μA per mM at a potential of +0.40 V, with response times of <3 s, a linear range from 2.0 to 350 μM, and a detection limit of 1.3 μM. The porous microcubes are conveniently prepared, and display high sensitivity and repeatability.