Highlights
- V2O5@GO was developed as a non-noble-metal interface for direct glucose electrooxidation.
- Electrochemical exfoliation produced the graphene-oxide component and supported electroactive sites for glucose oxidation.
- The hybrid operated in a low-concentration 0.01 M NaOH electrolyte.
- Its anodic-current response remained linear from 0.5 to 7.5 mM glucose.
Abstract
This study investigates a vanadium pentoxide-graphene oxide (V2O5@GO) hybrid as a lower-cost, non-noble-metal material for direct glucose electrooxidation. Graphene oxide was produced through electrochemical exfoliation and combined with V2O5 using a sonochemical process. In alkaline solution, the hybrid produced clear glucose-oxidation responses, including strong reverse-scan performance at 0.25 V and a linear anodic-current response across glucose concentrations from 0.5 to 7.5 mM. The findings support further development of V2O5@GO for glucose sensing and biofuel-cell applications.
Research summary
Direct glucose electrooxidation is important for non-enzymatic glucose sensors and glucose-powered biofuel cells. Many established electrode systems depend on noble metals such as gold or platinum. Those materials can be effective, but cost, surface poisoning, and limited reuse motivate the search for practical alternatives.
This work evaluates a hybrid made from vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and graphene oxide (GO). The GO was prepared by electrochemically exfoliating graphite, avoiding the more chemically intensive routes commonly used to produce graphene oxide. V2O5 nanoparticles were prepared separately and then combined with GO through sonochemistry.
Preparation concept
© 2023 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry; published by Elsevier B.V. Reused by the authors with attribution. View the version of record.
What the study examined
- Morphology and structure were evaluated using electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
- Electrochemical behavior was studied in an alkaline sodium-hydroxide electrolyte using cyclic voltammetry.
- Pure GO, pure V2O5, and the combined V2O5@GO interface were compared to determine the role of the hybrid structure.
- Glucose-response characteristics were assessed across a concentration range relevant to sensing experiments.
Main findings
The hybrid exhibited distinct glucose electrooxidation peaks. Its forward scan was consistent with a hydrogen-abstraction mechanism, while its reverse scan followed a chemisorption model associated with direct glucose oxidation.
At 0.25 V in the reverse scan, V2O5@GO showed competitive glucose-electrooxidation behavior compared with several previously reported noble-metal electrode systems. The response also remained linear for glucose concentrations from 0.5 to 7.5 mM.
Pure V2O5 did not show the same glucose-electrooxidation activity. The results indicate that combining V2O5 with electrochemically exfoliated GO created accessible surface-active sites and an electrochemical response not produced by either role alone.
Why it matters
The study demonstrates a route toward glucose-sensing interfaces that reduce dependence on noble metals. It also connects a comparatively environmentally considerate GO preparation method with a functional electrochemical application. Further optimization and validation would be needed before translation into practical sensors or biofuel-cell devices.
Citation
L. Prabakaran, Prabakaran Shankar, S. A. Kulinich, J. B. B. Rayappan. Eco-Friendly Fabrication of V2O5@GO Hybrids for Direct Glucose Electrooxidation and Sensing: An Alternative to Noble Metals. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 132 (2024) 383-394.
