A high–performance non–enzymatic glucose sensor based Au and ZrO2 nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Gold (Au) and zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles as the co–catalyst on modified multi–walled carbon nanotubes (Au/ZrO2@MWCNTs) were prepared by simple method. ZrO2 and Au NPs, Au/ZrO2@MWCNTs exhibited excellent electrochemical performances when applied as glucose sensor. The sensor showed a wide linear operating range (10 μM to 13 mM glucose concentration), high sensitivity (162.52 μA cm−2 mM−1 at 10 μM–13 mM), and a low detection limit (0.95 μM) at 0.2 V. After 15 days of consecutive tests, over 90.0 % of the original current was retained, verifying the stability of Au/ZrO2@MWCNTs. Furthermore, the non–enzymatic glucose sensor also exhibited strong catalytic activity for the conversion of glucose to gluconic acid with a large active surface area. It is expected to be applicable in the further development of non–enzymatic glucose sensors.