Ionic liquid assisted solvothermal synthesis of Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures and their application as enhanced nanoelectrocatalysts for glucose detection

Abstract

Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures have been successfully synthesized in the presence of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C16mim]Br) under solvothermal conditions. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). During the reaction process, the ionic liquid played an important role in controlling the morphology and size of the Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures. The results of FTIR spectroscopic analysis indicated that there was the ionic liquid [C16mim]Br on the surface of the Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures. Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures exhibited better thermal stability in air than Cu samples synthesized without ionic liquid at room temperature. In addition, the electrocatalytic activity of the Cu-modified electrodes towards glucose oxidation was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results clearly demonstrated that the unique morphology and small size of the Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures made them suitable for application as non-enzymatic glucose sensors. Simultaneously, the [C16mim]Br ionic liquid on the surface of the Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures had a significant impact on the electrocatalytic activity of Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures. Thus, electrodes modified with these Cu polyhedron-pattern nanostructures are promising for the future development of non-enzymatic glucose sensors. © 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.