Ni3S2/ionic liquid-functionalized graphene as an enhanced material for the nonenzymatic detection of glucose

Abstract

In this study, a highly sensitive enzyme-free glucose sensor was constructed by Ni3S2 nanomaterials compounded with ionic liquid functionalized graphene (IL-graphene). The structure of the Ni3S2/IL-graphene nanocomposites was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical properties of this enhanced material towards glucose detection were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometric methods. In comparison with the bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and the IL-graphene/GCE, the Ni3S2/IL-graphene/GCE showed significant electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation. A wide linear range of 0–500 μM was obtained with a sensitivity of 25.343 μA μM−1 cm−1 as well as a detection limit of 0.161 μM (S/N = 3). Some interferences with glucose, such as dopamine, lactose, uric acid and ascorbic acid, have been considered in the presence of glucose on Ni3S2/IL-graphene/GCE. The results showed that there was no significant change in the current response of glucose (50 μM), which indicates its strong anti-interference ability. Further, the sensor was successfully applied to the detection of glucose in fetal bovine serum.