Nickel-Cobalt Double Hydroxide Decorated Carbon Nanotubes via Aqueous Electrophoretic Deposition towards Catalytic Glucose Detection

In this work, we present a facile technique based on electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to produce transition metal hydroxide decorated carbon nanotubes (CNT) for electrochemical applications. We specifically explore the performance of nickel-cobalt hydroxides given their high activity, conductivity and stability as compared to the individual hydroxides. We exploit the high local pH at the negative electrodes during water-based EPD to form nanoparticles of nickel-cobalt hydroxides in situ on the CNT surface. We focus our work here on obtaining functional and conductive deposits on CNTs. The hydrophilic binderless deposits of Ni-Co double hydroxide decorated CNTs obtained here are used for non-enzymatic glucose detection. XPS data and electrochemical testing reveal difference in the deposited double hydroxide based on chronology of charging salt addition even at the same ratio. When cobalt and nickel salts are sequentially added at a ratio of 1:1, the deposited double hydroxides show excellent glucose sensitivity of ~3300μA/mM.cm2 at applied potential of 0.55V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode.