Embedment of Well Dispersed Nickel Nanoparticles in Sulfonate and Benzimidazole Functionalized Poly (Arylene Ether Ketone) Film for the Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glucose

Stable and well dispersed nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) were fabricated and embedded in a novel polymer sulfonate and benzimidazole functionalized poly (arylene ether ketone) (S‐BI‐PAEK) film. After drop‐casting the mixed solution of S‐BI‐PAEK and NiSO₄ on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface, the uniformly distributed NiNPs were formed and stably embedded in S‐BI‐PAEK film by in‐situ electrochemical reduction method. The embedment and well dispersity of NiNPs in S‐BI‐PAEK film was probably attributed to the strong chelation of sulfonate and benzimidazole functional groups contained in S‐BI‐PAEK toward Ni²⁺ ions, as well as the transferability of Ni²⁺ ions in S‐BI‐PAEK film. The NiNPs/S‐BI‐PAEK composite film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). It exhibited good electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation in 0.1 mol L^?1 NaOH solution with high stability. The NiNPs/S‐BI‐PAEK/GCE showed a fast amperometric response with a wide linear range from 1 μM to 4 mM and a low detection limit of 200 nmol L^?1 (S/N=3) for the determination of glucose by amperometry at a potential of 0.55 V. Finally it was successfully employed to determine glucose in human serum. Therefore, the novel fabrication method of nickel nanoparticles was promising for the future development of non‐enzymatic glucose sensor.