Simple Electrochemical Synthesis of Cuprous Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Application as a Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor

Abstract

Simple, additive-free nanosynthesis using environmentally benign processes and chemicals has attracted considerable attention in recent times. Cuprous oxide nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited using a simple aqueous electrolyte solution at room-temperature in the presence of air, showing a green, template-less one-step method of electrochemical synthesis. The size and distribution of the particles can be controlled by varying the concentration of sulfuric acid electrolyte. Time of deposition can be controlled to create a uniformly deposited layer of nanoparticles. Deposition potential shows only moderate influence on the size of nanoparticles. Furthermore, it was shown that Cu2O nanoparticles can be effectively used for the fabrication of a low-cost, efficient non-enzymatic glucose sensor. Sensor shows excellent electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of glucose with high sensitivity (507 μA/mMcm2) over a detection range of 100 μM to 2.5 mM. It exhibits good reproducibility and stability with a quick response time (<5 s) and good limit of detection (26 μM) for glucose.