Porous Copper Oxide Thin Film Electrodes for Non-Enzymatic Glucose Detection

Abstract

The present work describes novel copper oxide thin film-modified indium tin oxide electrodes prepared by magnetron sputtering and their application for glucose sensing. Copper oxide-modified sensors were characterized by electrochemical techniques, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The deposited thin film (of about 400 nm of thickness) consisted of Cu2O/CuO nanocolumns of ca. 80 nm in diameter. After optimizing the main experimental parameters, the electrodes showed noteworthy electrocatalytic properties for glucose detection (sensitivity ca. 2.89 A M−1 cm−2 and limit of detection ca. 0.29 μM (S/N = 3)). The sensor showed negligible response against common electroactive species and other sugars. Finally, recovery experiments in commercial soda drinks and the determination of glucose content in different commercial drinks, such as soda, tea, fruit juices, and sports drinks, are described.