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/TiO_xN_y 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 TiO_xN_y 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).