Three-dimensional graphene foam integrated with Ni(OH)2 nanosheets as a hierarchical structure for non-enzymatic glucose sensing

A facile and in-situ electrochemical nanofabrication towards three-dimensional graphene@nickel foam (3DGF) to produce Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets was proposed and the integrated Ni(OH) 2 /3DGF electrode for glucose sensing was researched. The nanofabrication of chemical battery reaction is mild and facile. Nanopores formation plays a key role in promoting the growth of Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets, leading to enhanced electro-catalysis. In this constructed unique 3D hierarchical architecture, graphene layers not only provide excellent electrical conductivity but also benefit to the sensing stability, while the 3D interconnected structure prevents the agglomeration or exfoliation of Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets and the porous Ni(OH) 2 film benefits to the mass and charge transfer, and thus improving the sensing performance remarkably. As a successful demonstration, the fabricated Ni(OH) 2 /3DGF glucose sensor exhibits an appreciable sensitivity 2366   μA   mM −1   cm −2 and a low detection limit of 0.32   μM. This study proposes an easy and convenient strategy to prepare Ni(OH) 2 and graphene integrated glucose sensor, promisingly applied in practice.