One-step preparation of ultra-thin copper oxide nanowire arrays/copper wire electrode for non-enzymatic glucose sensor

A novel binder-free glucose sensor based on vertically aligned ultra-thin copper oxide nanowire arrays (CuO NWAs) grown on copper wire (CW) was developed by using a simple and fast heat treatment method. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy results showed that the length and diameter of CuO NWAs were about 8 mu m and 40 nm, respectively. The electrochemical performance of CuO NWAs/CW electrode for glucose oxidation was studied in alkaline solution by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Results showed that the novel integrated electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic performance toward glucose oxidation with wide linear ranges of 5.0 mu M to 0.555 mM and 0.555 to 8.555 mM, high sensitivity of 850.7 and 446.7 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2), and detection limit of 2.86 mu M (S/N = 3). The good sensing performance was attributed to the superior electrocatalysis activity of high-density CuO NWAs with large active surface area.