Highly enhanced electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose on Cu(OH)2/CuO nanotube arrays modified copper electrode

A highly sensitive and fast-response biosensor based on cupric hydroxide/oxide (Cu(OH)₂/CuO) nanotube arrays (CNA) was successfully fabricated in this work. CNAs were prepared on copper electrode surface by simply immersing copper electrode in an aqueous solution of NaOH and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈. The morphology and the composition of the CNAs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), respectively. The electrocatalytic activity of the CNA modified copper electrodes (CNA/Cu) towards glucose oxidation was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The CNA/Cu showed good non-enzymatic electrocatalytic responses to glucose in alkaline media and can be used for the development of enzyme-free glucose sensors.     

Electrochemical oxidative determination of 4-nitrophenol based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a hydroxyapatite nanopowder

A non-enzymatic amperometric glucose is reported that is based on an glassy carbon electrode modified with a Cu-CuO nanowire (NW) composite. The morphology and the composition of the nanowire were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The modified electrode efficiently catalyzes the oxidation of glucose at less-positive potential (0.30 V) in 0.10 M NaOH solution in the absence of any enzymes or redox mediators. The sensor was successfully used for the amperometric sensing of glucose. Linear response was obtained over the concentration range from 0.1 to 12 mM. The common interfering agents ascorbic acid and uric acid do not interfere with the determination of glucose. The modified electrode features high sensitivity, low working potential, excellent stability, and fast amperometric sensing of glucose. Thus it is promising for the future development of non-enzymatic glucose sensors.     

Dopant-stimulated CuO Nanofibers for Electro-oxidation and Determination of Glucose

We described the preparation of copper oxide composite nanofibers doped with carbon nanotubes (CuO/C-NFs) or nickel oxide(CuO/NiO-NFs) by electrospinning for direct glucose determination. The interest in exploring practical CuO/C-NFs and CuO/NiO-NFs electrode materials for sensor application was fascinated by the possibility of promoting electron transfer for kinetically unfavorable glucose oxidation reactions at a lower overpotential and thus improving the selectivity of the electrode for glucose in electroanalysis. The morphologies of CuO/C-NFs and CuO/NiO-NFs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction(XRD). The electrocatalytic performances of glucose were evaluated in detail by cyclic voltammetry(CV) and chronoamperometry. Facile charge transport, enhanced current response(at a lower overpotential of +0.35 V), improved stability and selectivity, as well as excellent resistance towards electrode fouling were observed at CuO/ C-NFs electrode in direct glucose electroanalysis. These merits are attributed to the highly porous three-dimensional network film structure of CuO/C-NFs electrode materials and the potential synergic catalytic effect of CuO and carbon nanotubes in composite nanofibers. This study may provide a new insight into metal oxide-based composite nanofibers obtained via electrospinning for fabricating novel and high performance sensors and devices.     

Microwave activation of the electro-oxidation of glucose in alkaline media

The oxidation of glucose is a complex process usually requiring catalytically active electrode surfaces or enzyme-modified electrodes. In this study the effect of high intensity microwave radiation on the oxidation of glucose in alkaline solution at Au, Cu, and Ni electrodes is reported. Calibration experiments with the Fe(CN)(6)(3-/4-) redox system in aqueous 0.1 M NaOH indicate that strong thermal effects occur at both 50 and 500 microm diameter electrodes with temperatures reaching 380 K. Extreme mass transport effects with mass transport coefficients of k(mt) > 0.01 m s(-1)(or k(mt) > 1.0 cm s(-1)) are observed at 50 microm diameter electrodes in the presence of microwaves. The electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose at 500 microm diameter Au, Cu, or Ni electrodes immersed in 0.1 M NaOH and in the presence of microwave radiation is shown to be dominated by kinetic control. The magnitude of glucose oxidation currents at Cu electrodes is shown to depend on the thickness of a pre-formed oxide layer. At 50 microm diameter Au, Cu, or Ni electrodes microwave enhanced current densities are generally higher, but only at Au electrodes is a significantly increased rate for the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose to gluconolactone observed. This rate enhancement appears to be independent of temperature but microwave intensity dependent, and therefore non-thermal in nature. Voltammetric currents observed at Ni electrodes in the presence of microwaves show the best correlation with glucose concentration and are therefore analytically most useful.     

Copper-based nanowire materials: templated syntheses, characterizations, and applications

Well-aligned Cu(OH)2 nanoribbon and CuO nanorod arrays have been prepared on copper substrates by liquid-solid reactions. The effects of temperature, reaction time, solvent, and pH value on the morphology and composition of the products are systematically studied. Using the Cu(OH)2 nanoribbons array as a reactive and sacrificial template, we have successfully synthesized Cu2O, Cu9S8, and Cu nanoribbon/ nanowire arrays, demonstrating the versatility of the template. The extensive series of copper-based one-dimensional nanomaterials have been fully characterized by various structural, microscopic, and spectroscopic techniques. Moreover, the Cu nanowires are demonstrated to be an excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate with a sensitivity over an order of magnitude higher than that of a common roughened copper electrode.     

Controllable Hydrocarbon Formation from the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 over Cu Nanowire Arrays

In this work, the effect of Cu nanowire morphology on the selective electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ is presented. Cu nanowire arrays were prepared through a two‐step synthesis of Cu(OH)₂ and CuO nanowire arrays on Cu foil substrates and a subsequent electrochemical reduction of the CuO nanowire arrays to Cu nanowire arrays. By this simple synthesis method, Cu nanowire array electrodes with different length and density were able to be controllably synthesized. We show that the selectivity for hydrocarbons (ethylene, n‐propanol, ethane, and ethanol) on Cu nanowire array electrodes at a fixed potential can be tuned by systematically altering the Cu nanowire length and density. The nanowire morphology effect is linked to the increased local pH in the Cu nanowire arrays and a reaction scheme detailing the local pH‐induced formation of C₂ products is also presented by a preferred CO dimerization pathway.     

Enzyme-functionalized gold nanowires for the fabrication of biosensors

Gold nanowires were prepared by an electrodeposition strategy using nanopore polycarbonate (PC) membrane, with the average diameter of the nanowires about 250 nm and length about 10 microm. The nanowires prepared were dispersed into chitosan (CHIT) solution and stably immobilized onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. The electrochemical behavior of gold nanowire modified electrode and its application to the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) were investigated. The modified electrode allows low potential detection of hydrogen peroxide with high sensitivity and fast response time. Moreover, the good biocompatibility of nanometer-sized gold, the vast surface area of the nanowire-structure make it ideal for adsorption of enzymes for the fabrication of biosensors. Glucose oxidase was adsorbed onto the nanowire surface to fabricate glucose biosensor as an application example. The detection of glucose was performed in phosphate buffer (pH 6.98) at -0.2 V. The resulting glucose biosensor exhibited sensitive response, with a short response time (<8 s), a linear range of 10(-5)-2 x 10(-2) M and detection limit of 5 x 10(-6) M.     

Synthesis of flower-like cuo hierarchical nanostructures as an electrochemical platform for glucose sensing

Flower-like CuO hierarchical nanostructures were synthesized on copper foil substrate through a simple wet chemical route in alkaline media at room temperature. SEM images collected at different reaction times revealed the transformation of initially formed Cu(OH)₂ nanowires to flower-like CuO nanostructures. The hierarchical structure of the as-prepared CuO showed high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose making it a promising electrode material for the development of non-enzymatic glucose sensor. The amperometric sensor exhibited a wide linear response to glucose ranging from 4.5 × 10^?5 to 1.3 × 10^?3 mol L^?1 (R ² = 0.99317) at fixed potential of 0.3 V. The detection limit was 6.9 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 (LOD = 3σ/s) with a sensitivity of 1.71 μA μmol^?1 cm^?2. Moreover, the developed sensor offers a fast amperometric response, good selectivity and stability.     

A highly sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on CuO nanowires

We report on the sensitive determination of glucose using a glassy carbon electrode modified with CuO nanowires and a Nafion film. The structure and morphology of CuO nanowires were established by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Compared to a bare glassy carbon electrode, a substantial increase in efficiency of the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose can be observed. The new glucose sensor displays two useful linear ranges of response towards glucose, is not affected by commonly interfering species, and displays a detection limit as small as 45?nM. The response time is <2?s towards 0.5?mM of glucose. Additional features include high electrocatalytic activity, high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and good stability.

Tuning the gas sensing performance of single PEDOT nanowire devices

This paper reports the synthesis and dopant dependent electrical and sensing properties of single poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanowire sensors. Dopant type (i.e. polystyrenesulfonate (PSS(-)) and perchlorate (ClO(4)(-))) and solvent (i.e. acetonitrile and 1 : 1 water-acetonitrile mixture) were adjusted to change the conjugation length and hydrophilicity of nanowires which resulted in change of the electrical properties and sensing performance. Temperature dependent coefficient of resistance (TCR) indicated that the electrical properties are greatly dependent on dopants and electrolyte where greater disorder was found in PSS(-) doped PEDOT nanowires compared to ClO(4)(-) doped nanowires. Upon exposure to different analytes including water vapor and volatile organic compounds, these nanowire devices displayed substantially different sensing characteristics. ClO(4)(-) doped PEDOT nanowires from an acetonitrile bath show superior sensing responses toward less electronegative analytes and followed a power law dependence on the analyte concentration at high partial pressures. These tunable sensing properties were attributed to variation in the conjugation lengths, dopant type and concentration of the wires which may be attributed to two distinct sensing mechanisms: swelling within the bulk of the nanowire and work function modulation of Schottky barrier junction between nanowire and electrodes.     

桥连氧化钨纳米线的可控合成及气敏性质

The rapid development of industrialization has resulted in severe environmental problems. A comprehensive assessment of air quality is urgently required all around the world. Among various technologies used in gas molecule detection, including Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy (MS), electrochemical sensors, and metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors, MOS gas sensors possess the advantages of small dimension, low power consumption, high sensitivity, low production cost, and excellent silicon chip compatibility. MOS sensors hold great promise for future Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, which will have a profound impact on indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring. The development of nanotechnology has significantly enhanced the development of MOS gas sensors. Among various nanostructures like nanoparticles, nanosheets and nanowires, the emergence of quasi-one-dimensional (q1D) nanowires/nanorods/nanofibers, with unique q1D geometry (facilitating fast carrier transport) and large surface-to-volume ratio, potentially act as ideal sensing channels for MOS sensors with extremely small dimension, and good stability and sensitivity. These structures have thus been the focus of extensive research. Among the various MOS nanomaterials available, tungsten oxide (WO_3-x, 0 ≤ x < 1) nanowires feature the characteristic properties (multiple oxidation states, rich substoichiometric oxides with distinct properties, photo/electrochromism, (photo)catalytic properties, etc.), and unique q1D geometry (single-crystalline pathway for fast carrier transport, large surface-to-volume ratio, etc.). WO_3-x nanowires have broad applications in smart windows, energy conversation & storage, and gas sensing devices, and have thus become a focus of attention. In this paper, the fundamental properties of tungsten oxide, synthesis methods and growth mechanism of tungsten oxide nanowires are reviewed. Among various (vapor-liquid-solid (VLS), vapor-solid (VS) and thermal oxidation) growth methods, the thermal oxidation method enables an in situ integration of WO_3-x nanowires on predefined electrodes (so-called bridged nanowire devices) via the oxidation of lithographically patterned W film at relatively low growth temperature (~500 ℃) because of interfacial strain, defects and oxygen on the surface of the W film. The novel bridged nanowire-based sensor devices outperform traditional lateral nanowire devices in terms of larger exposure area, low power consumption via self-heating, and greater convenience in device processing. Recent progress in bridged WO_3-x nanowire devices and sensitive NO_x molecule detection under low power consumption have also been reviewed. Power consumption of as low as a few milliwatts was achieved, and the detection limit of NO₂ was reduced to 0.3 ppb (1 ppb = 1 × 10^-9, volume fraction). In situ formed bridged WO_3-x nanowire devices potentially satisfy the strict requirements of IoT sensors (small dimension, low power consumption, high integration, low cost, high sensitivity, and selectivity), and hold great promises for future IoT sensors.     

Synthesis of Novel CuO Nanosheets with Porous Structure and Their Non‐Enzymatic Glucose Sensing Applications

Novel CuO thin films composed of porous nanosheets were in situ formed on indium tin oxide (ITO) by a simple, low temperature solution method, and used as working electrodes to construct nonenzymatic glucose sensor after calcinations. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that the CuO/ITO electrode calcinated at 200 °C exhibited better electrocatalytic activity for glucose. For the amperometric glucose detection, such prepared electrode showed low operating potential of 0.35 V and high sensitivity of 2272.64 μA mM^?1 cm^?2. Moreover, the CuO/ITO electrode also showed good stability, reproducibility and high anti‐interference ability. Thus, it is a promising material for the development of non‐enzymatic glucose sensors.     

An Effective Non-Enzymatic Glucose Biosensor Based on Nanostructured CuxO/Cu Electrodes Synthesized in Situ by Copper Anodization

Potentiostatic anodization was developed to synthesize copper oxide/copper (Cu_xO/Cu, x=1,2) electrode with nano structure for sensitive non-enzymatic glucose detection. At a catalytic potential of 0.55 V, the CuO/Cu electrode presented a high sensitivity of 2954.38 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² to glucose and a linear range of 0.1 mM to 1.3 mM. The response time is less than 3 s with addition of 0.1 mM glucose. The CuO/Cu electrode above was anodized in 1M KOH solution at −100 mV and the morphology was compact nanoparticles and sparsely dispersed nanosheets, which enlarged the surface area and provided abundant electrocatalytic active sites. Compared the sensing property of electrodes with different morphologies, it indicated that nanostructure was significant to the efficient glucose catalytic oxidation process and it could be regulated by changing the potential and electrolyte concentration during anodization.     

Controlled reactions on a copper surface: synthesis and characterization of nanostructured copper compound films

We report the synthesis of nanostructured copper compound films on a copper surface under mild conditions. A series of low-dimensional structures including Cu(OH)(2) fibers and scrolls, CuO sheets and whiskers, and Cu(2)(OH)(2)CO(3) rods have been successfully grown on the copper surfaces at ambient temperature and pressure. Most of the structures are phase-pure single crystallites. The films were formed by the direct oxidation of copper in aqueous solutions of NaOH with an oxidant (NH(4))(2)S(2)O(8). The evolution of the ultrafine structures as a function of the reaction conditions has been revealed, from fibers of Cu(OH)(2) to scrolls of Cu(OH)(2) to sheets or whiskers of CuO. By replacing NaOH with NaHCO(3) in the synthesis, square/rectangular rod arrays of Cu(2)(OH)(2)CO(3) were obtained. The controlled reactions allow the large-scale, template-free, cost-effective synthesis of copper compound films with ordered, uniform, stable, ultrafine structures.     

Microwave-assisted template-free synthesis of butterfly-like CuO through Cu2Cl(OH)3 precursor and the electrochemical sensing property

An energy-efficient and environmentally friendly microwave-assisted method was adopted for synthesis of butterfly-like CuO assembled by nanosheets through a Cu₂Cl(OH)₃ precursor, using no template. Formation mechanism of the butterfly-like CuO was explored and discussed systematically for the first time on the basis of both experimental results and crystal structure transformations in atomic level. The electrochemical sensing properties of the butterfly-like CuO modified electrode to ascorbic acid (AA) were studied for the first time. The results reveal that Cu(OH)₂ nanowires were formed once the Cu²⁺ ions, located in between two CuO₄ parallelogram chains of a Cu₂Cl(OH)₃ precursor, dissolve into the solution as Cu(OH)₄²⁻ complex ions after ion exchange reactions and simultaneous assemble along a axis. Upon microwave irradiation, the adjacent CuO₄ parallelogram chains of the Cu(OH)₂ nanowires dehydrate and assemble along c axis, forming CuO nanosheets with (002) as the main exposed facet, which were further assembled to butterfly-like CuO under the action of microwave field, suggesting that microwave field functions like a ‘directing agent’. The butterfly-like CuO modified electrode shows good electrochemical sensing properties to AA with a low detecting limit, short response time and wide linear response range.     

基于配合物前驱体的CuO原位制备与电催化产氧活性研究

合成得到了含有N,N,N',N'-四羟乙基乙二胺(THEED)配体的Cu(Ⅱ)配合物[Cu(THEED)(H₂O)]SO₄,通过质谱、元素分析以及X-射线单晶衍射测定了它的组成和晶体结构,并用之作为电催化产氧催化剂的前驱体。在电解含有配合物的碱性NaOAc/NaOH溶液时可检测到氧气产生,并发现有黑色薄膜附着于阳极表面。利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、能量色散X射线(EDX)、X射线衍射(XRD)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)确定该薄膜的主要成分是2 μm大小的无定形CuO颗粒。通过实验证明,CuO为真正的电催化水氧化催化剂,它具有较高活性和稳定性。在无Cu(Ⅱ)、0.10 mol/L NaOAc/NaOH溶液(pH=12.4)中,固定催化电压为1.35 V(相对于标准氢电极电压),催化电流密度可维持1.5 mA/cm²近6 h不变;7.5 h产生氧气97 μmol,法拉第效率95%。     

Activation effects of a platinum electrode by laser pulse irradiation on the electro-oxidation of glucose in alkaline solution.

In order to demonstrate the activation effects of a Pt electrode by laser pulse irradiation, the electro-oxidation of glucose was tested at an activated Pt electrode by cyclic voltammetry. A fixed potential was applied to the electrode, and then the electrode was irradiated with laser pulses from a Nd:YAG laser at 20 Hz for 20 s. Activation by the laser pulse irradiation gave two remarkable effects on cyclic voltammograms from the electro-oxidation of glucose in a 0.1 mol dm(-3) NaOH solution, i.e., surface modulation and cleaning effects. Significant differences were found in the cyclic voltammograms at the activated and at the simply polished electrodes. Such differences in the oxidation waves are attributed to a crystallographic change of the electrode surface induced by a laser ablation, accompanied by laser pulse irradiation. Due to the cleaning effect, the activated Pt electrode gave a sharp oxidation wave at -0.3 V even in real samples containing various organic compounds that could foul the electrode, though the activated Pt electrode lacked selectivity to the electro-oxidation of glucose.     

Synthesis of ultralong copper nanowires for high-performance transparent electrodes

Cu nanowires hold great promise for the fabrication of low-cost transparent electrodes. However, their current synthesis is mainly performed in aqueous media with poor nanowire dispersibility. We report herein the novel synthesis of ultralong single-crystalline Cu nanowires with excellent dispersibility, providing an excellent candidate material for high-performance transparent electrode fabrication.     

Vertically Aligned CuO Nanowires Based Electrode for Amperometric Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

Vertically aligned copper oxide (CuO) nanowires were synthesized by directly heating copper foil on a hotplate under ambient conditions. The as‐grown CuO nanowires film is mechanically stable and was facilely attached to a glassy carbon (GC) electrode, offering an excellent electrochemical sensing platform. The CuO nanowires electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic response to H₂O₂ with significantly lower overpotentials for its oxidation and reduction and also exhibits a fast response and high sensitivity for the amperometric detection of H₂O₂. The novel vertically aligned CuO nanowires electrode is readily applicable to other analytes and has great potential applications in the electrochemical detection.     

Fabrication of Cu(OH)_2 Nanowires Blended Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Ultrafiltration Membranes for Oil-Water Separation

Cu(OH)_2 nanowires were prepared and incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) to fabricate Cu(OH)_2-PVDF ultrafiltration(UF) membrane via immersion precipitation phase inversion process. The effect of Cu(OH)_2 nanowires on the morphology of membranes was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy(AFM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) measurements. The results showed that all the Cu(OH)_2-PVDF membranes had wider fingerlike pore structure and better hydrophilicity, smoother surface than pristine PVDF membrane due to the incorporation of Cu(OH)_2 nanowires. In addition, water flux and bovine serum albumin(BSA) rejection were also measured to investigate the filtration performance of membranes. The results indicated that all the Cu(OH)_2-PVDF membranes had high water flux, outstanding BSA rejection and excellent antifouling properties. It is worth mentioning that the optimized performance could be obtained when the Cu(OH)_2 nanowires content reached 1.2 wt%. Furthermore, the membrane with 1.2 wt% Cu(OH)_2 nanowires showed outstanding oil-water emulsion separation capability.