High-performance non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose detection using Au-decorated Co(OH)F nanoneedles on nickel foam synthesized via hydrothermal method

The demand for highly sensitive and selective glucose detection methods has fueled research into novel electrode materials and architectures for electrochemical sensors. In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of hydrothermally prepared cobalt hydroxyfluoride (Co(OH)F) nanoneedles directly grown on nickel foam (NF) substrates, demonstrating excellent functionality for non-enzymatic glucose detection. To further enhance glucose sensor performance, Co(OH)F nanoneedles were decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using photocatalytic reduction process. The as-synthesized Co(OH)F nanoneedles exhibit a porous morphology with a large surface area, providing numerous reactive sites for glucose interaction and electrochemical reactions. The electrochemical properties of the NF/Co(OH)F and NF/Co(OH)F@Au nanoneedle electrodes were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) techniques in a three-electrode glass cell containing an alkaline solution. The NF/Co(OH)F electrode demonstrated excellent electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation, enabling sensitive and selective glucose detection. Notably, the enzyme-free glucose sensors based on NF/Co(OH)F@Au nanoneedles exhibited reduced noise at low glucose concentrations, a wide linear response range, low detection limit, and rapid response time. Moreover, the sensor showed good stability and reproducibility, highlighting its potential for practical applications. Our work contributes to the advancement of electrochemical glucose sensing technologies by offering a novel and robust platform with enhanced performance characteristics.