Multi-wall carbon nanotube-NiO nanoparticle composite as enzyme-free electrochemical glucose sensor

We report a simple, solvent-free method to decorate multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs). The as prepared NiO-MWCNT composite were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The enzyme-free modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) was fabricated using as-synthesised composite material and investigated for glucose sensing. The 10% NiO-MWCNTs composites sensor showed excellent electro-catalytic activity towards direct glucose oxidation. The sensitivity of this sensor is found to be 1696 mu AmM-1 cm(-2) and 122.1 mu AmM-1 cm(-2) and the limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 11.04 nM and 31 mu M for the linear response over glucose concentration ranging from 1-200 mu M to 0.5-9.0 mM, respectively. Furthermore, the 10% NiO-MWCNTs sensor also showed excellent anti-interference ability, high stability and good reproducibility. Hence, due to simple method of material preparation, easy sensor fabrication and excellent electro catalytic activity towards glucose oxidation, the 10% NiO-MWCNT/CPE is a potential material for the development of enzyme-free sensor for reliable glucose determination. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.