A novel glucose sensor based on the Cu2O/RGO decorated SWCNT buckypaper as a flexible electrode

Abstract

With the rapid development of biosensing technology, there is an increasing demand in the market for electrochemical sensors that offer high sensitivity, selectivity, and good biocompatibility. Flexible electrochemical biosensors based on functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can achieve efficient and rapid detection of glucose in the human body. Although SWCNT films possess excellent conductivity, thermochemical stability, and flexibility. However, there are still shortcomings in catalytic activity and selectivity when applied to glucose electrochemical detection. To address this, we used graphene oxide as an intermediary between SWCNTs and Cu₂O nanoparticles to prepare Cu₂O@RGO modified SWCNTs films (Cu₂O@RGO-SWCNTs). The mixed valence state of Cu₂O and its significant double-layer capacitance effect enable it to exhibit higher activity and efficiency in glucose electrocatalytic reactions. We conducted an in-depth study of the electrochemical properties of Cu₂O@RGO-SWCNTs flexible materials and performed interference tests. Experimental results demonstrate that this electrode exhibits high electrochemical response sensitivity to glucose and a wide linear detection range, showing potential application value in the field of flexible electrochemical sensors. Under optimized conditions, the sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 193.2 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² for detecting low concentrations of glucose and maintains the same sensitivity of 149.2 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² for high concentrations of glucose. The linear range of the sensor is from 0 to 20 mM.