Pt Nanoparticles Inserting in Carbon Nanotube Arrays: Nanocomposites for Glucose Biosensors

Abstract

A facile strategy has been developed to prepare carbon nanotubes loading Pt nanoparticle (Pt-CNT) composites. The method involves the polymerization reaction of glucose and the reduction deposition of a platinum source in the pores of anodic alumina membranes (AAMs) under hydrothermal conditions. The Pt-CNT nanocomposites can be obtained through the subsequent carbonization and removal of the AAM template. Through transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy, it is observed that the nanocomposites possess a stable hierarchical structure, in which the Pt nanoparticles are uniformly entrapped on the surface of CNTs. Additionally, the Pt-CNT nanocomposites contain large amounts of oxygen-rich groups that are beneficial to improving its solubility in water and biocompatibility for retaining the bioactivity of glucose oxidase. The nanocomposites electrode is successfully used as a sensitively amperometric sensor for low-potential determination of H2O2. The Pt-CNT-based glucose biosensor is fabricated by mixing the composites with the glucose oxidase, displaying a wide linear calibration range nearly 3 orders of magnitude of glucose concentrations (0.16−11.5 mM) and a low detection limit of 0.055 mM. Furthermore, the biosensor exhibits some other excellent characteristics, such as high sensitivity and selectivity, short response time, and long-term stability.