A new method for fabricating a CuO/TiO2 nanotube arrays electrode and its application as a sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor.

Abstract In this report, we presented a new method to fabricate TiO 2 nanotube (TiO 2 NT) arrays modified with cupric oxide (CuO) nanofibers, getting a novel TiO 2 NT arrays composition electrode for sensitive nonenzymatic glucose detection. For the preparation of CuO nanofibers, Cu nanoparticles were firstly electrodeposited onto the TiO 2 NT arrays, and then oxidized to CuO nanofibers followed by annealing in air. The CuO nanofibers modified TiO 2 NT (CuO/TiO 2 NT) arrays electrode for electrocatalytic detection of glucose was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry in 0.10 M NaOH solution. The linear range of detection of glucose extended up to 2.0 mM ( R  = 0.997, n  = 10) at a potential of 0.50 V (vs. SCE). The sensitivity was 79.79 μA cm −2  mM −1 , and the detection limit was 1 μM (S/N = 3). Significantly, the poisoning by chloride ion and the interferences from ascorbic acid, uric acid, lactose, sucrose, fructose and dopamine were negligible. Particularly, the CuO/TiO 2 NT arrays electrode showed excellent stability and repeatability over 1 month. The sensor was also investigated detecting glucose in human blood serum samples.