Morphology-controllable gold nanostructures on phosphorus doped diamond-like carbon surfaces and their electrocatalysis for glucose oxidation

Gold nanostructures with controllable morphologies were synthesized by electrochemical deposition on phosphorus doped diamond-like carbon (DLC:P) film surfaces. The morphology of the as-synthesized gold nanostructures controlled by deposition potentials affected the electrocatalytic behavior of Au/DLC:P electrodes. The gold nanostructures obtained at −0.1 V showed a 3D flower-like morphology (consisting of staggered nanosheets), and exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity towards glucose electrooxidation at the potential below 0.1 V in alkaline media compared with other gold nanostructures (hemispherical and branched clusters) in terms of more unsaturated gold (2 2 0) and (3 1 1) crystal faces and monolayer oxide mediators on gold surfaces. The gold nanostructures with controllable morphologies were hence promising for the development of an electrocatalyst of non-enzymatic glucose sensor.