In situ fabrication of Ni nanoparticles on N-doped TiO2 nanowire arrays by nitridation of NiTiO3 for highly sensitive and enzyme-free glucose sensing.

A novel and simple strategy for the in situ fabrication of the microstructure composed of nickel (Ni) nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped TiO2 nanowire arrays (Ni NPs/TiOxNy NWAs) by nitridation of NiTiO3 nanowire arrays is designed and described. During nitridation, Ni is separated from NiTiO3 and aggregates uniformly on the surface. The reshaped composite that is supported by the compact structure and interface of the formed NPs and remaining highly conductive TiOxNy NW forms a robust electrode in highly sensitive and selective non-enzymatic glucose sensing. The materials exhibit outstanding electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation boasting a sensitivity of 421 μA mM-1 cm-2, a low detection limit of 0.39 μM, as well as high selectivity against interfering species such as ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and dopamine (DA).