Surface modification of copper selenide for reliable non-enzymatic glucose sensing

Improvement in the catalytic activity of the electrode material can be achieved by altering surface morphology. Herein, the effect of complexing agent (ammonia, NH 4 OH) concentration on the surface morphology of copper selenide (Cu 3 Se 2 ) film electrodes synthesized using the chemical bath deposition method was evaluated. Thin films of Cu 3 Se 2 were characterized using structural, morphological, and elemental composition analyses. The electrochemical glucose sensing performance of films was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and i-t amperometry techniques. The broad linear range of detection (2.8 μM–1.5 mM of glucose concentration) and high sensitivity (18,500 μA/mM cm 2 ) as well as the low limit of detection limit (2.8 μM) project Cu 3 Se 2 films with spherical nanoparticles morphology as a promising electrode material for non-enzymatic glucose detection application. The measurement of glucose levels from a human blood sample using Cu 3 Se 2 films confirms practical applicability for further device fabrication. Electrochemical catalysis of glucose using Cu 3 Se 2 thin film. • Copper selenide (Cu 3 Se 2 ) thin film was synthesized using the facile one-pot chemical bath deposition method. • The surface morphology of copper selenide films was altered through a varying complexing agent concentration. • Copper selenide (Cu 3 Se 2 ) thin film with spherical morphology exhibited the limit of detection (LOD) of 2.8 μM with a sensitivity of 18,500 μA/mM cm 2 .