Inside/outside Pt nanoparticles decoration of functionalised carbon nanofibers (Pt19.2/f-CNF80.8) for sensitive non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose detection

Abstract

A highly efficient and reproducible approach for effective Pt nanoparticles dispersion and excellent decoration (inside/outside) of functionalised carbon nanofibers (f-CNF) is presented. The surface morphological, compositional and structural characterisations of the synthesised Pt_19.2/f-CNF_80.8 material were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM/STEM/DF-STEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was employed in order to confirm the typical electrochemical response for Pt. The aim of the work was to improve the utility of both the supporting matrix (via the use of both inner/outer surfaces of nanofibers) and precious Pt, together with the sensitive glucose determination. TEM data indicated successful nanoparticle decoration with average Pt particle size 2.4 nm. The studies demonstrated that utilisation of the inner surface of the nanofibers, together with the modified outer surface characteristics using chemical treatment, enables excellent decoration, effective dispersion and efficient impregnation of Pt nanoparticles on carbon nanofibers. Pt_19.2/f-CNF_80.8 exhibited excellent amperometric response (sensitivity = 22.7 μAmM⁻¹cm⁻² and LoD = 0.42 μM) towards direct glucose sensing, over the range 0–10 mM glucose, in neutral conditions (pH 7.4). The improved carbon surface area for nanoparticle decoration, inner surface structure and morphology of nanofibers together with the presence of functional groups provided strong interactions and stability. These features together with the effective nanoparticle dispersion and decoration resulted in excellent catalytic response. The decorated nanoscaled material (Pt_19.2/f-CNF_80.8) is capable of large scale production, providing sensing capability in neutral conditions, while eliminating the temperature sensitivity, pH and lifetime issues associated with glucose enzymatic sensors and holds great promise in the quantification of glucose in real clinical samples.