Ni-decorated ZrAlCo-O nanotube arrays with ultrahigh sensitivity for non-enzymatic glucose sensing

Ni-decorated ZrAlCo-O nanotube arrays (Ni/ZAC-O NTAs) have been fabricated via pulse electrodeposition of Ni into ZrAlCo-O nanotube arrays (ZAC-O NTAs) which were obtained by anodization of Zr56Al16Co28 amorphous alloy. The ZAC-O NTAs exhibited good electrocatalytic performance in the detection of glucose with a short response time (less than 2 s) and sensitivity of 34.15 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2), 51.60 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2) at different linear ranges. The electrocatalytic performance toward glucose oxidation was improved significantly after electrochemical deposition of Ni into ZAC-O NTAs with an ultrahigh sensitivity of 1553.0 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2) and a lower detection limit of 1.02 mu M (S/N = 3). Moreover, Ni/ZAC-O NTAs demonstrat superior selectivity and reproducibility. The outstanding electrocatalytic performance of the as-prepared Ni/ZAC-O NTAs glucose sensor was attributed to the synergistic effect of the special nanotubular structure and high catalytic properties of Ni and Co species. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.