A novel enzyme-free glucose sensor is developed with the three-dimensional (3D) PtxNi1-x (x = 0.1–0.9) alloy nanoclusters electrodeposited onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The synthesis, structural, and compositional characterization of 3D PtxNi1-x/MWCNTs are reported. Cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, kinetic analysis, electrochemical impedance plots, and amperometric responses exhibit that the 3D PtxNi1-x/MWCNTs nanocomposites have more remarkable catalytic performance on the direct oxidation of glucose comparing with the 3D Pt/MWCNTs catalysts and the uniform dispersive morphology PtxNi1-x/MWCNTs catalysts. We further investigate how the Pt/Ni atomic ratios of these alloys play a key role in controlling the electrocatalytic activity and thus improve the glucose detection. The optimal Pt/Ni atomic ratio acquired in present experiment condition is 3/7, which proves linearity up to 15 mM of glucose with a sensitivity of 0.94 mA/mMcm2 and a detection limit of 0.3 μM (S/N = 3) at −0.30 V. Meanwhile, the interference from dopamine, uric acid, p-acetamidophenol, ascorbic acid, urea, galactose, lactose and fructose is effectively avoided at this negative potential. The as-synthesized sensor is applicable to the glucose sensing in the real human serum with the concentrations agreeing well with that measured by a hospital. Furthermore, 90% of the surface active sites and the initial sensitivity are retained in continuous tests (31 days), proving favorable long-term stability.

Non-enzymatic glucose biofuel cells (GBFCs) has been renewed interest because of good long-term stability and adequate power density. Here we demonstrate the application of a three-dimensional (3D) nanocomposites electrode for implantable GBFCs with simple fabrication protocol, good performance (a high power density 2.3 mW cm−2 and an open circuit potential 0.70 V in physiological environment) and excellent stability. 3D flowerlike platinum (Pt) nanoparticle clusters are electrodeposited onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by using an all-electrochemical protocol, which involves a key, second step of a potential pulse sequence. The potential widths can change the size and distance of the nuclei and clusters. The resulting 3D Pt morphology of a new type is found to exhibit significantly higher electrocatalytic activity and better stability than the dispersive morphology for glucose oxidation reaction (GOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We also investigate the application (polarization test, biofuel cell performance and degradation behavior) of this process for the fabrication of both anode and cathode in GBFCs. This new procedure might give credence for construction of a new generation of GBFCs operating at mild conditions or boost the power outputs and make them suitable for diverse applications.