Highly sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on nickel nanoparticle–attapulgite-reduced graphene oxide-modified glassy carbon electrode

• A facile one-step electrochemical co-deposition approach is adopted, referring to simultaneous depositions of, attapulgite (ATP), cathodic reduction of Ni2+ into nickel nanoparticles under acidic conditions, and in situ reduction of graphene oxide (GO).
• The size and morphology of Ni nanoparticles will be improved by introduction of co-deposition of ATP, resulting in enhancement in electrochemical activity.
• The as-prepared NiNPs/ATP/RGO-based glucose sensor exhibits outstanding performance for enzymeless glucose sensing with sensitivity (1414.4 μA mM−1 cm−2), linear range (1–710 μM) and detection limit (0.37 μM).
• NiNPs/ATP/RGO exhibited a high selectivity towards glucose against the interferents, such as ascorbic acid (AA), 4-Aminophenol (AP), and uric acid (UA).

In this article, a fast and sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor is reported utilizing a glassy carbon electrode modified by synthesizing nanocomposites of nickel nanoparticle–attapulgite-reduced graphene oxide (Ni NPs/ATP/RGO). A facile one-step electrochemical co-deposition approach is adopted to synthesize Ni NPs-ATP-RGO nanocomposites via electrochemical reduction of mixed precursor solution containing graphene oxide (GO), attapulgite (ATP) and nickel cations (Ni2+) at the cathode potentials. This strategy results in simultaneous depositions of ATP, cathodic reduction of Ni2+ into nickel nanoparticles under acidic conditions, and in situ reduction of GO. The as-prepared NiNPs/ATP/RGO-based glucose sensor exhibits outstanding performance for enzymeless glucose sensing with sensitivity (1414.4 μA mM−1 cm−2), linear range (1–710 μM) and detection limit (0.37 μM). What is more, the sensor has excellent stability and selectivity against common interferences in real sample.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide