High-performance catalytic electrode for glucose sensor fabricated by one-step selective oxidation of brass compositions

Abstract

In this study, three-dimensional nanostructured electrodes were synthesized by one-step electrochemical anodizing of the brass. Composites based on different oxides/hydroxides including ZnO, Cu2O, Cu(OH)2, and CuO are selectively prepared by potential modulation for the first time. With the increase of potential, the nano-oxide transforms from granular morphology into uniformly distributed nanosheet clusters, and the size of the nano-sheet decreases gradually with the increase of potential, finally, the double-layer nanosheet structure is formed. Attributed to the finely regulated composition and nanostructure, high-performance non-enzymatic glucose sensor electrodes are developed, which can exhibit prominent sensitivity for glucose catalytic up to 2817 μA·mM−1·cm−2 with a response time within 3 s and outstanding selectivity. This pioneering work not only offers a promising strategy for the rational construction of high-performance glucose catalytic nanostructured electrodes, but also provides a fresh pathway for the selective oxidation of alloys to form functional materials that meet practical needs.