Three-dimensional macroporous Cu electrode: Preparation and electrocatalytic activity for nonenzymatic glucose detection

•Amperometric nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on 3D macroporous Cu (3-DMCu) films.•Hydrogen bubbles as templates and NH4Cl as the bubble stabilizer for preparing of 3-DMCu.•3-DMCu films with high surface area, uniform pore size and thin pore walls.•The sensor showing high sensitivity and good selectivity towards glucose oxidation.

Three-dimensional macroporous Cu (3-DMCu) films were successfully prepared by electrochemical deposition using hydrogen bubbles as dynamic templates on a bare Cu electrode. Bubble stabilizer, NH4Cl, was introduced into the Cu electro-deposition bath and homogeneous pore size with thin pore walls was obtained. The structure and electrochemical properties were characterized. In addition, the experimental parameters such as the concentration of NH4Cl and the amperometric detecting potential were optimized. It was found that the 3-DMCu electrode exhibits good electrochemical catalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose. And the as-prepared electrode presented a high sensitivity of 3258 μA/mmol L−1 cm−2 to glucose with a wide linearity range from 8 × 10−4 to 3 mmol L−1 and the detection limit of 0.8 μmol L−1. Moreover, it was successfully applied to the determination of glucose in real samples.

Graphical abstractThree-dimensional macroporous Cu (3-DMCu) films were successfully prepared by electrochemical deposition using hydrogen bubbles as dynamic templates with NH4Cl as the bubble stabilizer. And it has exhibited good electrochemical catalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose. In addition, the prepared electrode has been successfully used for the analysis of glucose in real samples with satisfactory results.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide