Laser-assisted approach for improved performance of Au-Ti based glucose sensing electrodes

This paper focuses on the synthesis route and electrochemical properties of electrocatalytic material based on gold nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in a structured titanium template obtained via optimized anodization, chemical etching and laser processing. SEM inspection reveals the presence of Au NPs (60-90 nm in diameter) sited in the titanium foil cavities. Performed electrochemical measurements enable nomination of the set of working laser parameters that allow for fabrication of material possessing the highest performance towards glucose oxidation. It is proven that laser-engineered electrodes have an improved stability in acidic conditions and higher response from glucose oxidation in both alkaline and neutral environment in comparison to analogs obtained by conventional furnace dewetting. In neutral electrolyte it is also observed that the current density increases by almost 300% while the change in mechanism of glucose oxidation was identified due to laser treatment. It is suggested that laser dewetted gold nanoparticles have more surface defects than furnace dewetted ones so that more AuOHads species are created and therefore catalytic activity of the material is enhanced. These results indicate a scalable and cost-effective fabrication route and are important for the current research on non enzymatic glucose sensors.

Automated summary

This paper focuses on the synthesis and electrochemical properties of electrocatalytic materials based on gold nanoparticles embedded in a structured titanium template. The study shows that laser-engineered electrodes exhibit improved stability and higher glucose oxidation performance compared to conventional methods. Additionally, the research suggests that laser treatment can enhance the catalytic activity of the material by creating more surface defects on the gold nanoparticles.