Ni(OH)2@Cu dendrite structure for highly sensitive glucose determination

Abstract

Fast and accurate monitoring of glucose levels in various fields has attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this study, a nickel hydroxide-coated copper dendrite structure [Ni(OH)₂@Cu] was prepared by a facile two-step electrodeposition on a gold substrate and was used as a non-enzymatic glucose sensor. The surface morphology of the Ni(OH)₂@Cu dendrite structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and elemental mapping, and its composition was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Due to the large surface area of the dendrite structure, the as-prepared sensor demonstrated a high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose in alkaline solution. Following analysis of the optimum deposition and sensing conditions, the developed sensor showed a high sensitivity of 2082 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² over a wide linear range of 1–4500 μM, as well as a low detection limit of 0.24 μM (S/N = 3) with a rapid response time of 2 s. This sensor can also reliably measure glucose concentration in human urine samples, indicating its use as a promising glucose sensor.