Easy Fabrication of a Sensitive Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Electrospinning CuO-ZnO Nanocomposites

Abstract

An easy and sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor was fabricated based on CuO-ZnO composite nanofibers by electrospinning and subsequent thermal treatment that was optimized to obtain the best sensing properties. The morphology and structure of the composite metal oxide were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of CuO-ZnO for glucose electro-oxidation were thoroughly investigated by cyclic voltammetry. In the amperometric detection of glucose under low applied potentials, the CuO-ZnO-modified Pt electrode exhibited an extraordinary detection limit of 0.126 μM, a wide dynamic range from 8.00 × 10−7 to 3.88 × 10−3 M, and excellent sensitivity of 463.7 μA/(mM·cm2). The CuO-ZnO/Pt electrode showed considerably higher electrocatalytic activity, excellent sensitivity, and fast amperometric sensing toward glucose oxidation. The sensor also showed good selectivity, long-term stability, and excellent reproducibility. The results can serve as a foundation for the development of non-enzymatic glucose sensors.