Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of metal-doped nanoporous carbon

A novel nickel/nanoporous carbon (Ni-NC) composite has been synthesized via sol- gel method after the incorporation of metal oxide nanoparticles in an organic matrix based on pyrogallol-formaldehyde and successive heating under inert atmosphere. The nanocomposites have been characterized by various techniques such as XRD, SEM-EDX and TEM. The Ni-NC composite was successfully used to fabricate a modified screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) and applied in the determination of glucose. The electrochemical behavior of the Ni- NC nanocomposite has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry performed under different experimental conditions (potential, scan rate and analyte concentration). Based on the modified Ni-NC/SPCE electrode, an amperometric sensor for glucose determination with a sensitivity of 146.4 μA mM^-1cm^-2 and lower detection limit of 10 μM, has been developed. (paper)