Preparation of functionalized copper nanoparticles and fabrication of a glucose sensor

Dimethylglycoxime (DMG) functionalized copper nanoparticles (DMG-CuNPs) were prepared by a microwave heating method and characterized by TEM, FTIR, and XRD. The as-prepared nanoparticles were used to construct a new glucose sensor. Experimental results showed that DMG could be used to encapsulate the copper nanoparticles to control their growth during the preparation process and could chelate copper ions which were produced during the positive scan in the electrochemical experiments. The sensor showed good selectivity and sensitivity. A wide linearity range and a low detection limit have been assessed for it. A linear response to glucose in the concentration range between 1.0 × 10−6 and 5.0 × 10−3 M and a detection limit of 5.0 × 10−7 M were observed. Most important of all, the common drawback of copper electrode fouling was overcome in this sensor.