Tuning characteristics of Co3O4 nanofiber mats developed for electrochemical sensing of glucose and H2O2

Abstract

Nano-crystalline Co<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> nanofibrous mats were fabricated by calcining the precursor nanofibers obtained by electrospinning of a sol comprising of a unique polymeric binder poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and cobalt acetate tetrahydrate in water. The influence of the calcination temperature used for the synthesis of the oxide nanofibers from the xerogel fibers on various physico-chemical properties of the former was studied. The Co<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> nanofibers obtained at 400 °C had the highest electrochemical sensitivity towards glucose and H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf>. Further, the results prove that Co<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> nanofibers can be used for the detection of glucose and H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> concurrently as the response times taken by these moieties are different. Therefore, one can differentiate the concentration of glucose and H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> by analyzing the signals obtained after the respective response time and this multiple sensitivity of Co<inf>3</inf>O<inf>4</inf> can be applied in the field of biosensors. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.