Synthesis of CuNP-modified carbon electrodes obtained by pyrolysis of paper

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Chemical, 2016-05, Vol.227, p.626-633
• Main Authors: Duran, Gema M., Benavidez, Tomás E., Giuliani, Jason G., Rios, Angel, Garcia, Carlos D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actuators; Carbon; Carbon electrodes; Cellulose fibers; Copper nanoparticles; Electrochemical sensors; Electrodes; Nanoparticles; Non-enzymatic glucose sensor; Pyrolysis; Synthesis
• ISSN: 0925-4005; 1873-3077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2015.12.093

[Display omitted] •One-step method to fabricate carbon-based electrodes modified with CuNP.•Electrode characterized by SEM, Raman, impedance spectroscopy, voltammetry.•Electrode shows activity towards the electrochemical oxidation of glucose. A one-step approach for the synthesis and integration of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) onto paper-based carbon electrodes is herein reported. The method is based on the pyrolysis (1000°C under a mixture of 95% Ar/5% H2 for 1h) of paper strips modified with a saturated solution of CuSO4 and yields to the formation of abundant CuNPs on the surface of carbonized cellulose fibers. The resulting substrates were characterized by a combination of scanning electron microscopy, EDX, Raman spectroscopy as well as electrical and electrochemical techniques. Their potential application, as working electrodes for non-enzymatic amperometric determination of glucose, was then demonstrated (linear response up to 3mM and a sensitivity of 460±8μAcm−2mM−1). Besides being a simple and inexpensive process for the development of electrochemically-active substrates, this approach opens new possibilities for the in-situ synthesis of metallic nanoparticles without the traditional requirements of solutions and adjuvants.