Synthesis of nanoneedle-like copper oxide on N-doped reduced graphene oxide: A three-dimensional hybrid for nonenzymatic glucose sensor

Abstract

Nanoneedle-like copper oxide on N-doped reduced graphene oxide was synthesized through a simple method. The nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical method. N-doped reduced graphene oxide is anchored with a large number of nanoneedle-like copper oxides, which are about 20nm in width and 0.5μm in length. A nonenzymatic glucose sensor was fabricated based on this nanocomposite. The three-dimensional hybrid structure can greatly increase the contacting area between the electrode and electrolyte, which may provide more sites for glucose accommodation shorten the diffusion length of glucose and enhance the reactivity on the electrode. Under the optimal conditions, the designed sensor showed a fast response to glucose with a good linear concentration range of 0.5–639μM and a lowest detectable concentration of 0.01μΜ. The sensor was successfully used to detect glucose in human serum samples.