Synthesis of carbon nanotube–nickel nanocomposites using atomic layer deposition for high-performance non-enzymatic glucose sensing

A useful strategy has been developed to fabricate carbon-nanotube–nickel (CNT–Ni) nanocomposites through atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Ni and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of functionalized CNTs. Various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were used to characterize the morphology and the structure of as-prepared samples. It was confirmed that the products possess uniform Ni nanoparticles that are constructed by finely controlled deposition of Ni onto oxygen or bromine functionalized CNT surface. Electrochemical studies indicate that the CNT–Ni nanocomposites exhibit high electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation in alkaline solutions, which enables the products to be used in enzyme-free electrochemical sensors for glucose determination. It was demonstrated that the CNT–Ni nanocomposite-based glucose biosensor offers a variety of merits, such as a wide linear response window for glucose concentrations of 5μM–2mM, short response time (3s), a low detection limit (2μM), high sensitivity (1384.1μAmM−1cm−2), and good selectivity and repeatability. •Carbon tetrabromide precursor and Au catalyst can be used for chemical vapor deposition of the CNT which is a good supporting material for ALD of Ni.•Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Ni is a promising method for preparing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based Ni nanocomposite•CNT–Ni nanocomposite modified GCE is an excellent electrocatalyst for glucose oxidation.