Electrochemical glucose oxidation on dendritic cuprous oxide film fabricated by PSS-assisted electrochemical deposition

Cuprous oxides (Cu2O) with different morphologies were deposited on F-doped tin oxide (FTO) covered glass substrates by potentiostatic deposition. The as-deposited samples were characterized by XRD, BET surface area and SEM. The effects of Poly(styrene sulfonic acid) sodium salt (PSS) on the crystal morphologies of Cu2O were studied. Different crystal morphologies of Cu2O can be obtained by varying the concentrations of PSS in the electrolytes. The formation of dendritic microstructure in Cu2O film depends on the concentration of PSS in the electrolyte. Dendritic Cu2O crystals formed gradually with the increase of the concentration of PSS in the electrolyte from 0 to 4 g L−1. More symmetrical Cu2O crystals appear when the concentration of PSS is changed from 4 to 8 g L−1. However, the Cu2O nanoparticles formed instead of dendritic Cu2O crystals if the concentration of PSS reaches to 12 g L−1, which is due to the slower diffusion rate of reactive species in high concentration of PSS. The as-deposited Cu2O thin films with different morphologies all exhibit the electrochemical glucose oxidation properties. The improved performance of glucose oxidation is achieved on the dendritic Cu2O film electrode. The result indicates that the dendritic microstructure is beneficial for decreasing the resistance and improving transportation and diffusion of reactants and products.

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