A high-performance non-enzymatic glucose sensor based Au and ZrO2 nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Gold (Au) and zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles as the co-catalyst on modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Au/ ZrO2@MWCNTs) were prepared by simple method. ZrO2 and Au NPs, Au/ZrO2@MWCNTs exhibited excellent electrochemical performances when applied as glucose sensor. The sensor showed a wide linear operating range (10 mu M to 13 mM glucose concentration), high sensitivity (162.52 mu A cm1 2 mM-1 at 10 mu M-13 mM), and a low detection limit (0.95 mu M) at 0.2 V. After 15 days of consecutive tests, over 90.0 % of the original current was retained, verifying the stability of Au/ZrO2@MWCNTs. Furthermore, the non-enzymatic glucose sensor also exhibited strong catalytic activity for the conversion of glucose to gluconic acid with a large active surface area. It is expected to be applicable in the further development of non-enzymatic glucose sensors.

Automated summary

Au/ZrO2@MWCNTs nanoparticles were prepared and showed excellent electrochemical performances as glucose sensors, with a wide linear operating range, high sensitivity, and low detection limit. Additionally, they exhibited strong catalytic activity for glucose conversion to gluconic acid.