Nickel nanoparticles-loaded three-dimensional porous magnetic graphene-like material for non-enzymatic glucose sensing

Abstract

Here, we prepared a nickel nanoparticles-loaded three-dimensional porous magnetic graphene-like nanocomposite (NiNPs/3D-PMG) using D113 type macroporous weakly acidic cation exchange resin as the precursor by a simple one-step strategy, which was utilized as a novel electrode modifier for the non-enzymatic electrochemical sensing of glucose. The prepared NiNPs/3D-PMG material was characterized by a series of techniques. In alkaline medium, NiNPs in the nanocomposite modified on electrode surface can be electrochemically transformed to NiOOH, which exhibits high catalytic activity toward glucose oxidation. Benefiting from the large specific surface area of the highly conductive 3D porous graphene-like structure and the catalytic performance of NiOOH, the prepared NiNPs/3D-PMG nanocomposite exhibits prominent electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation. By using a magnetic electrode as the substrate for the immobilization of our NiNPs/3D-PMG with magnetic property, the stability and reusability of the fabricated electrochemical sensor are greatly improved. Under the optimized conditions, a linear amperometric response range from 2 μM to 0.22 mM was obtained, and the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 1 μM. This electrochemical sensor based on the NiNPs/3D-PMG exhibits a rapid response to glucose with high sensitivity, excellent reproducibility and strong anti-interference performance. Furthermore, our sensor has been successfully utilized to detect glucose in human serum with satisfactory results. It provides an effective new method for direct detection of glucose.