Nickel/Copper nanoparticles modified TiO2 nanotubes for non-enzymatic glucose biosensors

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2NTs) evenly modified by Ni-Cu nanoparticles were successfully prepared by potential step method. Their morphologies, structures, and alloy composition were characterized by FESEM, XRD and EDS, respectively. The as-prepared Ni-Cu/TiO2NTs electrodes were employed for non-enzymatic glucose detection in alkaline electrolyte and showed better electro-catalytic activity compared with Ni/TiO2NTs and Cu/TiO2NTs electrodes. Factors that affected the electrocatalysis of the electrodes were examined and optimized. Consequently, a sensitive amperometric electrode of glucose was achieved under 0.6V vs. Ag/AgCl with a high sensitivity (1590.9 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2)), low detection limit (5 mu M) and wide linear range from 10 mu M to 3.2 mM (R-2 = 0.993). Furthermore, the oxidable species such as ascorbic acid and uric acid showed no significant interference in determination of glucose. The experiment results revealed a very good reproducibility and high stability for the proposed Ni-Cu/TiO2NTs electrodes. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.