Stable, reproducible, and binder-free gold/copper core–shell nanostructures for high-sensitive non-enzymatic glucose detection

The core–shell non-enzymatic glucose sensors are generally fabricated by chemical synthesis approaches followed by a binder-based immobilization process. Here, we have introduced a new approach to directly synthesis the core–shell of Au@Cu and its Au@Cu(x)O oxides on an FTO electrode for non-enzymatic glucose detection. Physical vapor deposition of Au thin film followed by thermal annealing has been used to fabricate Au nanocores on the electrode. The Cu shells have been deposited selectively on the Au cores using an electrodeposition method. Additionally, Au@Cu(2)O and Au@CuO have been synthesized via post thermal annealing of the Au@Cu electrode. This binder-free and selective-growing approach has the merit of high electrooxidation activity owing to improving electron transfer ability and providing more active sites on the surface. Electrochemical measurements indicate the superior activity of the Au@Cu(2)O electrode for glucose oxidation. The high sensitivity of 1601 μAcm(−2) mM(−1) and a low detection limit of 0.6 μM are achieved for the superior electrode. Additionally, the sensor indicates remarkable reproducibility and supplies accurate results for glucose detection in human serums. Moreover, this synthesis approach can be used for fast, highly controllable and precise fabrication of many core–shell structures by adjusting the electrochemical deposition and thermal treatment parameters.