Universal laser-assisted growth of transition metal nanoparticles on a flexible graphene electrode for a nonenzymatic glucose sensor

Herein, a universal laser-assisted growth method is applied for supporting transition metal nanoparticles on three dimensional graphene (3D GR). Different from chemical/thermal reduction or deposition methods, all experimental steps could be achieved at room temperature and in air environment using laser irradiation as the energy source and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as precursors. Another unique property is that metal nanoparticle/3D GR could act as an electrode for a nonenzymatic glucose sensor. Due to the porous nature and catalytic properties of the metal nanoparticles, metal nanoparticle/3D GR shows a high direct oxidation activity toward glucose in alkaline solution. Co/3D GR achieves a linear range of 10–3020 μM and a limit of detection of 2.7 μM and is selective to common interferences, indicating its promising application for glucose determination. Such an easy, facile, and universal method could be extended for the rapid preparation of metal particle/GR and other electrochemical applications.