CuO–Ag2O nanoparticles grown on a AgCuZn alloy substrate in situ for use as a highly sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor

Abstract

We report on a non-enzymatic glucose sensor that was fabricated by growing CuO–Ag₂O nanoparticles on a AgCuZn alloy substrate. The electrode material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose can be performed at a potential of 0.45 V where the sensor exhibits a sensitivity as high as 3130 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹. It also shows a wide and linear response, a fast amperometric response, a dynamic range from 0.4 μM to 3.0 mM, a detection limit of 98 nM (at S/N = 3) and a good selectivity. In addition, the function of each component in the alloy is also explained in this work. Furthermore, this non-enzymatic glucose sensor provides a significant degree of accuracy when tested on real samples.