A non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on Ni/PANI coaxial nanowire arrays

Ni/PANI coaxial nanowire arrays were prepared by electrochemical deposition using porous anodic alumina as a template. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The morphology results showed that the outer diameter and wall thickness of Ni/PANI coaxial nanowires were about 100 nm and 20 nm respectively and the PANI nanotubes were completely filled with the Ni nanowires. Cyclic voltammetry (C–V) and chronoamperometry (I–t) showed that Ni/PANI coaxial nanowires can be used as good electrode materials for non-enzymatic glucose sensors. The electrode of Ni/PANI coaxial nanowires has high sensitivity (76.8 μA mM−1 cm−2), low detection limit (10 μM) and wide linear range (0–7 mM) (R2 = 0.982), as well as good selectivity and stability.