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

Rhombic dodecahedron-architectured Ni–Cu nanostructures pinned with N-doped carbon (Ni–Cu/NC) are manufactured using Ni–Cu–zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (Ni–Cu–ZIF-8) as soft templates. The as-established ZIF-8 and metal/NC series nanocatalysts are loaded on biodegradable butter sheet papers (BSPs) and used as flexible electrochemical probes for high-performance electrochemical nonenzymatic glucose sensors (ENEGSs). The optimized molecular and electronic structures and charge density distribution of as-formulated ZIF-8 and metal/C series nanostructures are realized with DFT studies, and the influences of aforesaid unique properties on glucose electrooxidation are established with various electrochemical techniques. Owing to the robust carbon network-interlaced metallic units, high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and extended active sites, Ni–Cu–ZIF-8-derived Ni–Cu/NC demonstrates the elevated ENEGS performance including lower detection limit, high sensitivity, and elevated specificity under alkaline regimes that actualize Ni–Cu/NC/BSP’s practical glucose sensing recognition in human serum. Thus, the as-fabricated Ni–Cu/NC/BSP extends exclusive benefits of having simple fabrication and being cost-efficient, reliable, and reusable, along with high glucose sensing performance, accessing innovative conveniences to epitomize technically sound and economically viable boulevards in the amplification of ENEGSs.