Template-synthesis of hierarchical CuO nanoflowers constructed by ultrathin nanosheets and their application for non-enzymatic glucose detection

Abstract

In this study, a template-assisted approach for novel hierarchical CuO nanoflowers with Cu2O nanocubes as the templates was designed and carried out. The structures and morphologies in different growth processes were studied by various characterization methods, showing that these hierarchical CuO nanoflowers consisted of ultrathin nanosheets. The hierarchical CuO nanoflowers serving as active materials illustrated great performances for non-enzymatic glucose sensing with high sensitivity of 2217 μA mM−1 cm−2, low detection limit of 0.96 μM and wide linear range up to 6 mM. Moreover, the electrodes exhibited quick response time, long term stability, good selectivity and acceptable practice workability, suggesting the great potential of the as-prepared CuO nanoflowers in non-enzymatic glucose sensors.