Enhancing the non-enzymatic glucose detection performance of Ni(OH)2 nanosheets via defect engineering

Electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose detection technology has been widely used in glucose sensors because of its simple operation and outstanding detection efficiency. Electrocatalysts that are earth-abundant and highly active are still to be explored to meet practical detection requirements. In this work, we report a strongly enhanced glucose detection performance of Ni(OH)(2) by defect engineering. Ni(OH)(2) nanosheets are synthesized by the electrochemical deposition method. Defects with various concentrations are introduced into Ni(OH)(2) nanosheets by Ar plasma treatment. The defective Ni(OH)(2) exhibits strongly enhanced glucose detection performance with higher sensitivity and wider linear response range. In-situ Raman spectra results suggest that defects can promote the deprotonation reaction of defective Ni(OH)(2) to form NiOOH intermediates. In consequence, the oxidization of the glucose by the formed NiOOH is strongly facilitated, leading to the enhanced detection performance. The results in this work clarify the essential role of defects in determining the glucose detection performance of transition metal hydroxides and demonstrate defect engineering can be used for improving the performance of electrochemical non-enzymic sensors.