Surfactant‐free synthesis of self-assembled CuO spheres composited with MnO2 nanorods for non-enzymatic glucose detection

Abstract

Cupric oxide (CuO) spheres and manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) nanorods by hydrothermal synthesis are investigated for non-enzymatic glucose sensors. Self-assembled CuO spheres were first synthesized on ITO/glass substrate without surfactant. MnO 2 nanorods were then composited on the exterior of CuO spheres by using a drop-coating method. The MnO 2 nanorods/CuO sphere/ITO working electrode was used to analyze the catalytic ability to glucose. Large surface-to-volume ratio of the material enhances the glucose sensing performances. MnO 2 improves the sensitivity and the linearity of the glucose detection. The working electrode has high sensitivity of 2360.81 μA mM −1 cm −2 to glucose. Good linear range between 0.5 and 2.5 mM glucose concentration can also be found. It also has great anti-interference ability. Excellent performances of the MnO 2 nanorods/CuO sphere to glucose can help more accurately and quickly detecting the blood sugar concentration. • Cupric oxide sphere and manganese dioxide nanorods were synthesized by low-temperature hydrothermal method. • Cupric oxide can self-assembled into a spherical structure without surfactant. • Manganese dioxide nanorods/cupric oxide sphere has high sensitivity of 2360.81 μA mM −1 cm −2 to glucose.