Porous Ni3N nanosheet array as a catalyst for nonenzymatic amperometric determination of glucose

A glassy carbon electrode was modified with an array of porous Ni3N nanosheets (Ni3N NA) and studied for its use in non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of glucose. The morphology and structure of the Ni3N NA were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies demonstrated that the Ni3N NA acts as an efficient catalyst for the electro-oxidation of glucose at pH 13, best at a working voltage of 0.55 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Figures of merit include (a) high sensitivity (39 μA·mM−1·cm−2), (b) a low limit of detection (0.48 μM), and (c) a linear range that extends from 2 μM to 7.5 mM. The sensor was applied to the determination of glucose levels in human serum, and satisfactory results were obtained.