Co-Zn nanoparticles on N-doped graphene nanocomposites as bifunctional catalysts for non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor and organic dye degradation

Abstract

Detection of biomolecules by advanced sensing systems and organic pollutant removal is of immense interest in biomedical and environmental remediation sectors. In this regard, effective glucose detection is dynamic in rapid-diagnosis of related diseases and in addition, removal of organic dyes by suitable adsorbent materials is vital for water treatment. The present work involves the facile fabrication of CoZn-N doped graphene nanocomposites and employed in glucose sensors and dye removal. The synthesized materials were characterized to evaluate the structural, morphological, elemental and surface characterizations such as, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning DR-UV–vis–spectroscopy, electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. SEM and TEM images revealed the Co-Zn nano particles (NPs) with respective morphologies within the N doped graphene structure. Electrochemical examinations of CoZn-N doped graphene nanocomposites/GCE sensor demonstrated superior sensitivity for the detection of commercial glucose in NaOH. Moreover, CoZnNG nanocatalyst has been investigated for the dye removal of crystal violet (CV), Rhodamine B (RB), methylene blue (MB) and congo red (CR) in the presence of H2O2. CoZnNG catalyst exhibited a maximum efficiency of 96 % over CV dye degradation in 30 min which is comparatively higher than the removal of MB, CR and RB dyes with 36 %, 41 %, 38 % for 120, 60 and 100 min, respectively. The CoZn-N doped graphene nanocomposites exhibited regeneration, reproducibility, and stability toward dye removal. Such multi-component hybrid N doped graphene could be efficacious for real-time non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor and pollutant removal applications.