Synthesis of spinel-type CuGa2O4 nanoparticles as a sensitive non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide and glucose detection

Abstract In this paper, spinel-type CuGa2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal-calcination technique, and were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The electrochemical behaviors of CuGa2O4 nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (CuGa2O4/GCE) under neutral condition with H2O2 and alkaline condition with glucose were studied. It was found that CuGa2O4 nanoparticles exhibited apparent electrocatalytical effects for the reduction of H2O2 and the oxidation of glucose. As a result, cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric techniques could be used in the sensitive detection of H2O2 and glucose. Under the optimal condition, the concentration of H2O2 varied linearly with the electrochemical signal in the range of 5-200 μM, and the detection limit was 5 μM (S/N=3), while glucose showed a linear change in the range of 0.05-2mM, and the detection limit was 25 μM (S/N=3). The modified electrode had good repeatability and stability, and showed a promising application in the detection of actual samples. The outstanding electrochemical performance make this spinel CuGa2O4 nanoparticle promising for the improvement of non-enzymatic glucose sensor.