Non-enzymatic sensing of glucose at neutral pH values using a glassy carbon electrode modified with carbon supported Co@Pt core-shell nanoparticles

Co@Pt core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthetized by a two-step reductive method using carbon (Vulcan XC-72) as a solid support. The NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Their electrochemical performance was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry, and these showed that the Co@Pt NPs display an electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose that is much better than that of plain Pt NPs. Under optimized conditions and at pH 7.0, the oxidation current of glucose at a working potential of -50 mV (vs. SCE) is linearly related to its concentration in the 1.0 to 30 mM range, and the detection limit is 0.3 mM (S/N = 3). It therefore covers the clinical range. The sensor also exhibits excellent stability and repeatability.