Ag@Au core–shell nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode synthesized by simple displacement reaction for non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensing

Abstract

In this study, a new strategy was presented to enhance glucose sensor performance by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with Ag@Au alloy nanoparticles. The synthesis process was designed with a simple replacement reaction to grow the gold layer onto the silver nanparticles to form a core–shell nanostructure. The resulting nanocomposite modified electrode exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity and stability in glucose sensing. Electrochemical measurements were undertaken to assess the performance of the as-synthesized Ag@Au/GCE. The Ag@Au core–shell nanoparticles modified GCE exhibited outstanding catalytic activity towards glucose detection, resulting in a high current response and a robust linear relationship between concentrations (10 μM–10 mM); the detection limit was remarkably low, at 0.04 μM. This sensor demonstrated a wide linear range, low detection limit, and high levels of selectivity and stability, rendering it suitable for accurate glucose quantification in biological samples.