Controllable synthesis of silver nanodendrites on copper rod and its application to hydrogen peroxide and glucose detection

Abstract

Silver nanodendrites were synthesized on Cu rods by a simple and facile displacement reaction without using any surfactants. The morphologies were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phase analysis of the dendritic nanostructure was revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The element analysis was characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Then a novel Ag nanodendrites/Cu rod electrode (named Ag NDS/CRE) based non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and glucose (GO) sensor was fabricated and evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and typical amperometric response (I–t) method. Exhilaratingly, the electrode shows significant electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of H₂O₂ and oxidation of GO. Its advantage lies in its wide linear range from 0.2 mM to 19.2 mM for the detection of H₂O₂ with a low detection limit of 0.1 μM (S/N = 3) and also has a good response for GO with a linear range from 0.02 mM to 7.4 mM with the optimized detection limit of 0.1 μM (S/N = 3). The response time of the proposed electrode is less than 3 s. What's more, the proposed sensor displays excellent selectivity, good stability, and satisfying repeatability.