Template-assisted fabrication of CuO nanoparticles-decorated PANI nanosheets for enhanced electrochemical glucose determination

Nanostructure-based modified electrochemical sensors have gained considerable attention for portable and non-enzymatic glucose detection, owing to their high sensitivity, operational simplicity, and elimination of enzyme-related instability. In this study, sodium dodecyl sulfate soft-template mediated synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) nanosheets and subsequent anchoring of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were performed to obtain PANI–CuO (PCuO) nanocomposite. X-ray diffraction investigation revealed crystalline and semi-crystalline nature of CuO and PANI, respectively. Microscopic and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy examinations demonstrated uniform distribution of CuO and sheet-like morphology of PCuO. PANI nanosheets and PCuO nanocomposites were employed to modify nickel foam for developing PANI/NF and PCuO/NF sensors and applied for the determination of glucose. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of PCuO/NF electrode displayed characteristic redox characteristics of glucose in 0.1 M NaOH within the potential limit of −0.2 to +0.8 V. The amperometric I-t response of PCuO/NF electrode exhibited superior electrocatalytic response towards non-enzymatic glucose sensing by achieving an excellent sensitivity of 1118 µA mM⁻ 1 cm⁻ 2 and a better limit of detection of 27.0 µM. Additionally, the present sensor showed an appreciable selectivity among common physiological interferents and also unveiled good reproducibility, repeatability and long-term stability for glucose monitoring. These results highlight that PCuO/NF electrode can be utilized as a promising candidate towards non-enzymatic glucose biosensing applications.