Fabrication of Ag nanoparticle catalyst supported on graphene for effective H2O2 nonenzymatic detection powered by chemical energy

Abstract

Ag nanoparticles/graphene nanosheets (Ag NPs/GNs) have been fabricated using graphene nanosheets (GNs) as frames for the growth of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The graphene nanostructures adsorbed with a large number of Ag NPs and were synthesized via a facile redox reaction. The prepared nanocatalysts were characterized using x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field electron scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical activity of the Ag NPs/GNs for the detection of H2O2 was explored using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, indicating that the Ag NPs/GNs can remarkably facilitate H2O2 redox in phosphate buffer solution. Further comparative investigations show that the as-prepared Ag nanocatalysts exhibit a wide linear range, a high response, and a short response time for H2O2 detection. To further exploit the practical applications in H2O2 detection, the homemade electrochemical cells were employed to power the Ag NPs/GNs electrode sensor by chemical energy without external power sources. The results expand the applications of the graphene-based sensors and propose a feasible self-powered biochemical sensing approach independent of conventional power sources.