Co-ZIF derived Co2P4O12-C nanosheets as a highly efficient sensor for glucose

Cobalt-based catalysts are widely used as non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors due to their high natural abundance, low-cost, tunable valence states, and high electron transfer efficiency. In this work, carbon matrix-embedded cobalt metaphosphate nanosheets (Co 2 P 4 O 12 -C/CC) was successfully prepared by a phosphorylation process of cobalt zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (Co-ZIF) grown on carbon cloth (CC). Benefiting from the many gaps between the carbon matrix-embedded nanosheet arrays, the specific surface area and active sites of the catalyst electrode and its stability are significantly increased. As a working electrode, a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for glucose was constructed. The sensor exhibits good sensitivity ( 2092 µA mM −1  cm −2 ) with linear range of 1.0 µM to 2.0 mM and detection limit of 0.12 µM (S/N = 3). Further analysis of human serum obtained satisfactory results. This work opens a new door for the construction and application of cobalt-based non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors.