Trimetallic ZIF-Derived Ni-Cu/NC Rhombic Dodecahedron Nanostructures on Butter Sheet Paper as a Flexible Electrochemical Probe for Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensors

Rhombic dodecahedron-architecturedNi-Cu nanostructurespinned with N-doped carbon (Ni-Cu/NC) are manufactured usingNi-Cu-zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (Ni-Cu-ZIF-8)as soft templates. The as-established ZIF-8 and metal/NC series nanocatalystsare loaded on biodegradable butter sheet papers (BSPs) and used asflexible electrochemical probes for high-performance electrochemicalnonenzymatic glucose sensors (ENEGSs). The optimized molecular andelectronic structures and charge density distribution of as-formulatedZIF-8 and metal/C series nanostructures are realized with DFT studies,and the influences of aforesaid unique properties on glucose electrooxidationare established with various electrochemical techniques. Owing tothe robust carbon network-interlaced metallic units, high electricalconductivity, large surface area, and extended active sites, Ni-Cu-ZIF-8-derivedNi-Cu/NC demonstrates the elevated ENEGS performance includinglower detection limit, high sensitivity, and elevated specificityunder alkaline regimes that actualize Ni-Cu/NC/BSP'spractical glucose sensingrecognition in human serum. Thus, the as-fabricated Ni-Cu/NC/BSPextends exclusive benefits of having simple fabrication and beingcost-efficient, reliable, and reusable, along with high glucose sensingperformance, accessing innovative conveniences to epitomize technicallysound and economically viable boulevards in the amplification of ENEGSs.