Hierarchical Cu–Co–Ni nanostructures electrodeposited on carbon nanofiber modified glassy carbon electrode: application to glucose detection

Abstract

Hierarchical Cu–Co–Ni nanostructures (Cu–Co–Ni NSs) attached to carbon nanofibers (CNFs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was prepared by electrodeposition. Scanning electron microscopy results indicated that many hierarchical Cu–Co–Ni NSs were formed and uniformly dispersed on the CNFs/GCE surface. The electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic performance of the Cu–Co–Ni NSs/CNFs/GCE towards the oxidation of glucose were evaluated by cyclic voltammograms, chronoamperometry and amperometric methods. The results revealed that Cu–Co–Ni NSs/CNFs/GCE has a good electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation and could be used as a nonenzymatic glucose sensor. The sensor showed an acceptable linear range from 0.01 to 4.30 mM with a sensitivity of 104.68 μA mM cm−2, and a detection limit of 3.05 μM (S/N = 3). The good catalytic activity, high sensitivity, good selectivity and stability rendered the Cu–Co–Ni NSs/CNFs/GCE to be a promising electrode for constructing a nonenzymatic glucose sensor.