Eco-friendly fabrication of V2O5@GO hybrids for direct glucose electrooxidation and sensing: An alternative to noble metals

Abstract

In the search for efficient electrocatalysts for the electrooxidation of glucose, we present a hybrid nanomaterial V2O5@GO whose GO is obtained from by environmentally friendly electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. In a 0.01 M NaOH environment, the novel hybrid material showed clear electrooxidation peaks. The forward scan was consistent with the hydrogen abstraction reaction mechanism, while the reverse scan followed the chemisorption model. Notably, at 0.25 V, the hybrid showed better glucose electrooxidation performance in the reverse scan compared with previously reported electrodes based on noble metals, thus highlighting the importance of the electrochemical exfoliation process. With a consistent linear anodic current response at glucose concentrations from 0.5 to 7.5 mM, the V2O5@GO material proves to be a promising and cost-effective alternative for glucose sensors and biofuel cell applications.