Metal organic framework-derived anthill-like Cu@carbon nanocomposites for nonenzymatic glucose sensor

Abstract

A novel nonenzymatic glucose sensor was constructed based on anthill-like Cu@carbon nanocomposites which were derived from a Cu-based metal organic framework by a simple thermolysis method. The final nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and electrochemical techniques. The results showed that the derived nanocomposites maintained the morphology of the original materials upon thermolysis, while the produced Cu nanoclusters were embedded in three-dimensional carbon frameworks and presented an anthill-like structure. Since the final products gave a sufficiently large specific surface area, good catalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose and appropriate pores for electrolyte transfer, the resultant glucose sensor based on the anthill-like Cu@carbon nanocomposites showed a wide linear range of 0.2–8.0 mM and a low detection limit of 29.8 μM. The low cost, simple preparation and good catalytic activity of anthill-like Cu@carbon nanocomposites render them promising candidates as electrode materials for the construction of novel nonenzymatic sensors.