High performance Cu/Cu2O nanohybrid electrocatalyst for nonenzymatic glucose detection

Here we report Cu/Cu2O nanocomposites prepared via potential oscillation. High resolution transmission electron microscopy images reveal a homogeneous distribution of Cu and Cu2O in the composite. Due to the synergistic effect between Cu and Cu2O, the nanohybrids show much lower resistivity and higher glucose oxidation activity (a lower over-potential and higher current-output) compared to the Cu2O counterpart. As an example of application, a nanocomposite-based electrode is employed for a nonenzymatic glucose biosensor application, and exhibits a linear detection upper limit of 40 mM, a sensitivity of 1434.12 mu A cm(-2) mM(-1), and good selectivity.