Synthesis of MnCo₂O₄nanofibers by electrospinning and calcination: application for a highly sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor

Abstract

Spinel-type MnCo₂O₄ nanofibers (MCFs) were successfully synthesized by electrospinning and sequential calcination. The crystal structure, composition and morphology of the synthesized MCFs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Due to the outstanding electron-transfer ability of spinel MnCo₂O₄ and the large surface area of nanofibers, the synthesized MCFs were employed as electrocatalysts for the oxidation of glucose. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic activities of the MCFs towards glucose. The non-enzymatic glucose sensor showed a wide linear range of 0.05-800 μM with a low detection limit of 0.01 μM (S/N = 3).