Recyclable Non‐Enzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Ni/NiTiO₃/TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays

Abstract

Abstract A non‐enzymatic amperometric glucose sensor that can be renewed by light irradiation is described. It is composed of Ni/NiTiO 3 /TiO 2 nanotube arrays (NTAs) prepared by a simple hydrothermal treatment of as‐anodized TiO 2 NTAs in a nickel acetate solution followed by annealing under H 2 /Ar. The Ni/NiTiO 3 /TiO 2 NTAs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation in a 1.0 M NaOH supporting solution at a low applied potential of 0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) with a high sensitivity of 456.4 μA cm −2 m M −1 and a low detection limit of 0.7 μ M (S/N=3). The excellent electrochemical biosensing properties for glucose detection can be attributed to the orderly vertical alignment, large accessible surface, high conductivity, and electroactive Ni II /Ni III redox couple. Meanwhile, owing to their high photocatalytic activity, Ni/NiTiO 3 /TiO 2 NTAs can readily decompose the organic fouling species generated on the electrode surface during glucose detection under light irradiation so that the original sensitivity and selectivity can be restored. The Ni/NiTiO 3 /TiO 2 NTAs electrode provides a promising renewable platform enabling long‐term glucose monitoring with high sensitivity and selectivity.