Non-enzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Nickel/Carbon Composite

Nickel/carbon composites (Ni-C) have been synthesized by a pyrolysis treatment carried out at the temperature of 675 degrees C, of NiO incorporated into a pyrogallol-formaldehyde organic wet gel. Structural and morphological characterizations of the Ni-C samples were performed by XRD and SEM analysis, respectively. Electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensors were fabricated modifying the working electrode surface of screen printed carbon electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric tests were performed in order to investigate the electrocatalytic activity of differently Ni loaded carbon towards the oxidation of glucose in alkaline 0.1M KOH solution. The sensor based on 30% Ni/carbon showed the best sensing performance towards glucose monitoring with a sensitivity of 670A/mMcm(-1) in the a liner range from 20 to 500M, and a detection limit lower than 8M at S/N=3.