Cu and CuPb were electrodeposited from the mixture of water and a protic amide-type ionic liquid (IL), the protonated betaine bis((trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl) amide ([Hbet][TFSA]), in which CuO and PbO were dissolved. The electrodeposited Cu electrode showed electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation in alkaline conditions, and the activity was significantly enhanced once Pb was doped. Activity enhancement might result from the changes of the surface morphologies and the electronic states of Cu, which were concluded according to the SEM observations and XPS analyses. (c) The Author(s) 2019. Published by ECS.