Potential-induced sonoelectrochemical graphene nanosheets with vacancies as hydrogen peroxide reduction catalysts and sensors

Abstract

Defective graphene nanosheets (dGN4V) with 5-9, 5-8-5, and point defects were synthesised by a sonoelectrochemical method, where a potential of 4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) was applied to drive the rapid intercalation of phosphate ions between the layers of the graphite foil as a working electrode. In addition to these vacancies, double vacancy defects were also created when the applied potential was increased to 8 V (dGN8V). The defect density of dGN8V (2406 μm−2) was higher than that of dGN4V (1786 μm−2). Additionally, dGN8V and dGN4V were applied as catalysts for the hydrogen peroxide reduction reaction (HPRR). The mass activity of dGN8V (1.31 × 10−2 mA·μg−1) was greater than that of dGN4V (1.17 × 10−2 mA·μg−1) because of its high electrochemical surface area (ECSA, 1250.89 m2·g−1) and defect density (ND, 2406 μm−2), leading to low charge transfer resistance on the electrocatalytic interface. The ECSA and ND of dGN4V were 502.7 m2·g−1 and 1786 μm−2, respectively. Apart from its remarkable HPRR activity, the cost-effective dGN8V catalyst also showed potential as an amperometric sensor for the determination of H2O2.