In-situ construction of Au/Cu2O nanowire arrays for sensitive glucose sensing

Architecture design is widely regarded as a rational strategy to enhance the sensing performance of electrocatalysts. Herein, the novel three-dimensional hybrids based on Au and Cu2O were successfully synthesized via steps of in-situ growth, including anodic oxidation, annealing and galvanic displacement. Cu2O appeared in the morphology of nanowire array on conductive substrate, and was decorated by Au nanoparticles. Benefiting from the unique architecture and binder-free fabrication process, the Au/Cu2O nanowire arrays possessed high conductivity and abundant exposed active sites, as well as facilitated the direct electron transfer among detection object, electrocatalyst and current collector. Moreover, Au/Cu2O particles as contrast were fabricated to clarify the effect of structure on sensing ability. The Au/Cu2O nanowire arrays drove the glucose electro-oxidation reaction with great catalytic activity, in which a potential as low as 0.4 V was needed to reach a high sensitivity of 2.098 mA mM-1 cm-2. The excellent selectivity, stability and reproducibility were also obtained by the sensor. Furthermore, the quantitative detection of glucose level in diluted human serum were performed and the satisfactory result make the obtained sensor have the potential for practical applications.

Automated summary

In this study, novel three-dimensional hybrids based on Au and Cu2O were successfully synthesized. The Au/Cu2O nanowire arrays exhibited high catalytic activity, excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility in glucose electro-oxidation reactions. The sensor also demonstrated the capability for quantitative detection of glucose levels in diluted human serum.