Facile preparation of copper-based amorphous/crystalline heterophase nanocatalysts and their applications as efficient non-enzymatic biosensors

Abstract

The development of efficient nonenzymatic catalysts for the electro-oxidation of glucose is vital for glucose biosensors. Herein, we report the preparation of a branch-structured catalyst comprising an amorphous/crystalline heterophase made from AuCu alloy shells and Cu₂O cores (Cu₂O@a/c-AuCu). The Cu₂O@a/c-AuCu catalyst exhibits a good electrocatalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of glucose. The Cu₂O@a/c-AuCu-based glucose biosensor shows a high sensitivity (345 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and a wide concentration detection range (0.1–10 mM). The glucose detection accuracy of the Cu₂O@a/c-AuCu sensor in animal serum was consistent with that of the commercial glucometer. The outcomes of this work offer insights for constructing alloy-based heterophase nanocatalysts for biosensing and biological applications.