Dual-function glucose and hydrogen peroxide sensors based on Copper-embedded porous carbon composites

Abstract

The fine porosity of the carbon matrix coupled with uniformly distributed copper nanoparticles in Cu-PC-800 achieved excellent bifunctional sensing performances. • Cu-PC-800 composite has been prepared by one-step pyrolysis of HKUST-1 precursor. • Fine pore sizes and large surface area in Cu-PC-800 minimize diffusion resistance. • The uniformly distributed copper nanoparticles in Cu-PC-800 promote the electron transfer. • Cu-PC-800 can accurately achieve glucose and H 2 O 2 determination in real samples. Copper nanoparticles embedded in porous carbon composite (Cu-PC) were prepared for the electrochemical detection of glucose and H 2 O 2 via one-step carbonization of copper 1, 3, 5-benzenetricarboxylate (HKUST-1). The structure and chemical constitution of the composite were studied carefully by various characterization techniques. The results showed that the fine porosity and the uniformly distributed copper nanoparticles of octahedral Cu-PC obtained at 800°C (Cu-PC-800) facilitate the electron and mass transfer and make it an excellent sensor for both glucose and H 2 O 2 . As for glucose, the detection linear range is 0.5 ∼ 3850 μM, and the detection limit is 0.23 μM. Meanwhile, Cu-PC-800 can efficiently detect H 2 O 2 in an alkaline solution with a wide linear range (5 ∼ 4600 μM), and a low detection limit of 1.9 μM. Furthermore, the fabricated Cu-PC-800 sensor achieved the determination of glucose and H 2 O 2 in human serum and hydrogen peroxide bacteriostatic lotion, respectively.