Single step synthesis of Au–CuO nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide for high performance disposable nonenzymatic glucose sensor

Abstract

A nonenzymatic electrochemical glucose sensor was fabricated using gold–copper oxide nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (Au–CuO/rGO). A novel one step chemical process was employed for the synthesis of nanocomposite. Morphology and crystal planes of the nanocomposite were characterized using high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. The Au–CuO/rGO nanocomposite was dispersed in N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) and drop-casted on the working area of the indigenously fabricated screen printed electrode (SPE). The sensor showed good electrocatalytic activity in alkaline medium for the direct electrooxidation of glucose with linear detection range of 1μM to 12mM and a lower detection limit of 0.1μM. The sensor exhibited an excellent sensitivity 2356μAmM−1cm−2. Sensor was used for the determination of serum glucose concentration and the results obtained were compared with commercially available test strips.