Nanoporous gold as non-enzymatic sensor for hydrogen peroxide

Nanoporous gold (NPG) fabricated by dealloying Au–Ag film was investigated for the non-enzymatic detection of H2O2. The apparent activation energy of H2O2 electrochemical reduction on NPG was found to be as low as ∼30 kJ mol−1. The reduction currents at −0.4 V vs. SCE demonstrated a strict linear dependence in a wide H2O2 concentration region from 10 μM to 8 mM with a detection limit 3.26 μM. Furthermore, the biosensor based on NPG exhibited high selectivity, good reproducibility, and long-term stability. These results indicate that NPG could be a promising electrochemical material for H2O2 detection.

► Nanoporous gold electrode as non-enzymatic H2O2 sensor. ► A low activation energy ∼30 kJ mol−1 for H2O2 electrochemical reduction. ► A wide H2O2 detection concentration region with a low detection limit. ► High selectivity, good reproducibility and long-term stability.