Free-Standing Copper Oxide Films with In Situ Tailorable Nanostructures toward Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

In this study, in-situ synthesized Cu(OH)2 nanostructures on copper foil substrates were realized via anodization method. With the precise manipulation of deposition conditions, qualitative modulation of the dimensionality of Cu(OH)2 nanostructures were achieved. The influences of NaOH concentration, current density, reaction temperature and time on the morphologies of Cu(OH)2 nanostructures were investigated using complementary techniques. Furthermore, the as-prepared Cu(OH)2 nanostructures can be successfully transformed to CuO with unnoticeable changes in morphology after thermal treatment in nitrogen atmosphere; therefore, leading to a freestanding electrode for integrated-sensors. The resultant morphology and crystallographic identification of the as-prepared samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the pine-needle-like CuO modified electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical catalytic performance toward H2O2 reduction. Highly sensitive and fast-and-linear responses were achieved with its large specific surface area and efficient charge transfer properties. Hence, we report the freestanding CuO films with facile tailorable nanostructures as a promising candidate for efficient, stable and highly sensitive non-enzymatic amperometric detection of H2O2.