Ni-decorated ZrAlCo-O nanotube arrays with ultrahigh sensitivity for non-enzymatic glucose sensing

Abstract Ni-decorated ZrAlCo O nanotube arrays (Ni/ZAC-O NTAs) have been fabricated via pulse electrodeposition of Ni into ZrAlCo O nanotube arrays (ZAC-O NTAs) which were obtained by anodization of Zr 56 Al 16 Co 28 amorphous alloy. The ZAC-O NTAs exhibited good electrocatalytic performance in the detection of glucose with a short response time (less than 2 s) and sensitivity of 34.15 μA mM −1  cm −2 , 51.60 μA mM −1  cm −2 at different linear ranges. The electrocatalytic performance toward glucose oxidation was improved significantly after electrochemical deposition of Ni into ZAC-O NTAs with an ultrahigh sensitivity of 1553.0 μA mM −1 cm −2 and a lower detection limit of 1.02 μM (S/N = 3). Moreover, Ni/ZAC-O NTAs demonstrat superior selectivity and reproducibility. The outstanding electrocatalytic performance of the as-prepared Ni/ZAC-O NTAs glucose sensor was attributed to the synergistic effect of the special nanotubular structure and high catalytic properties of Ni and Co species.