Cu2O nanomaterials with well-defined facets and uniform size were synthesized by a wet-chemical method. Regardless of the additive composition, powders crystallize mostly in cuprite form. To compare their electrochemical behavior, the obtained materials were deposited on carbon glassy electrodes. The response to glucose from the materials with different exposed facets was recorded with a delay at the anodic curve. The chronoamperometric analyses (AMP) exhibited a lower signal in contrast to the cyclic voltammetry data (CV), indicating that the number of active sites involved in glucose oxidation processes resulting from the structure of the material is insufficient. For samples with dominant (100) or (111) planes, a typical characteristic was observed, however, with an additional peak at the anodic curve. The location of the peaks is approximately the same and no significant differences from the AMP and CV analysis were observed. The sample enclosed by the (111) facets exhibited higher activity; however, as a result of the redox reaction with glucose molecules, the surface state is changing. Cu2O materials enclosed by (100) planes exhibited optimal sensitivity as well as a large detective range. Samples with differential facet exposition present various current-potential profiles, as the effect of binder-particle interaction with Nafion.
Keywords: Cu2O; crystal-like; electrochemical performance; facet-dependent; glucose detection.