A simple route for preparation of highly stable CuO nanoparticles for nonenzymatic glucose detection

Abstract

Highly stable CuO nanoparticles about 2-4 nm in diameter have been successfully prepared by heating aqueous Cu(OAc) 2 and urea solution in the presence of poly[(2-ethyldimethylammonioethyl methacrylate ethyl sulfate)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)] (PQ11). Direct placing of the resultant dispersion on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) without the use of an immobilization support matrix leads to very stable CuO nanoparticle-containing films with remarkable catalytic performance toward the oxidation of glucose. This sensor shows good response to glucose in comparison to other normally co-existing electroactive species (such as dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid). The linear detection range is estimated to be from 5 μM to 2.3 mM (r = 0.994), and the detection limit is estimated to be 0.5 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. More importantly, it suggests that this glucose sensor can be used for the glucose detection in human blood serum. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.