Anneal-shrinked Cu2O dendrites grown on porous Cu foam as a robust interface for high-performance nonenzymatic glucose sensing.

Enzyme-free electrochemical detection of glucose in alkaline media with favorable properties has been acquired by fabricating a robust and large-surface sensing platform, which is composed of anneal-shrinked Cu2O dendrites grown on porous Cu foam. On the one hand, the good compatibility of electrodeposited Cu2O architectures and Cu foam substrate, together with a post-deposition anneal at 200°C, offers a mechanically stable interface for glucose determination. On the other hand, the macropores of Cu foam that is decorated with unique Cu2O dendrites provide large active surface for electrocatalytic reaction and mass transport. As a result, selective sensing of glucose in the linear concentration range of 0.001-1.4mM was achieved on the fabricated sensor, with a sensitivity of as high as 5.04mAcm-2mM-1 and a detection limit of 0.13μM. Desired long-term performance stability was obtained, partially due to the strong adhesion of Cu2O microstructures to the Cu foam support after annealing. Practical monitoring of glucose in serum samples was also demonstrated on the proposed sensor.