Amperometric glucose sensor based on nickel nanoparticles/carbon Vulcan XC-72R

A stable non-enzymatic glucose sensor was constructed by chemical deposition of nickel nanoparticles on carbon Vulcan XC-72R using microwave irradiation technique. The mode and time of microwave irradiation during nickel salt reduction were varied. This was found to affect the morphology of formed Ni/C powder as evidenced by TEM analysis. Nickel nanoparticles aggregation becomes more serious at longer microwave irradiation times. The electrocatalytic activity of different Ni/C samples towards glucose oxidation was studied in KOH solution by employing cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. Ni/C sample, prepared by pulse mode with total operating time of 150 s, showed the highest oxidation current density. An excellent sensitivity value of 1349.7 μA mM−1 cm−2 with a detection limit of 0.232 μM was gained by Ni/C sensor. It also exhibits good reproducibility and long-term stability, as well as high selectivity with insignificant interference from ascorbic acid.

► Electro-oxidation current density of glucose at Ni/C increases at longer pulse mode time.
► Ni/C showed acceptable selectivity towards glucose in presence of ascorbic acid.
► Ni/C achieved a sensitivity value of 1349.7 μA mM−1 cm−2 and a detection limit of 0.232 μM.
► A good reproducibility and long-term stability characterized the application of Ni/C.