Electrochemically derived CuO nanorod from copper-based metal-organic framework for non-enzymatic detection of glucose

In this work, we fabricated a novel enzyme-free glucose sensor based on CuO nanorod, which was electrochemically derived from the copper-based metal-organic framework, Cu₃(BTC)₂ (BTC: benzene tricarboxylate). Repeated potential cycling successfully oxidized Cu₃(BTC)₂ to CuO, leaving residual carboxylate on the catalyst surface. The oxidation process was carefully investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform IR, and scanning electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry studies of the electrochemical oxidation of glucose on the CuO nanorod revealed excellent electrocatalytic performance with high sensitivity of 1523.5 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², linear response up to 1.25 mM, and detection limit of 1 μM. Compared with commercial CuO powder, the CuO nanorod showed much higher sensitivity because of its large surface area (60.2 m² g⁻¹). Moreover, it exhibited good selectivity to glucose over potential interfering compounds. These results suggest the potential application of the Cu₃(BTC)₂-derived CuO nanorod as a non-enzymatic glucose sensor.