Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite based on reduced graphene oxide-gold nanoparticles-carbon dots: electroanalytical determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers simultaneously

Abstract

This work describes the synthesis, characterization, and application of a new ternary rGO-AuNPs-Cdots nanocomposite, which was extensively characterized by high-resolution electron microscopy (HR-TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical techniques. The nanocomposite was used to modify the surface of the glassy carbon electrode aiming to develop an electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of phenolic isomers. Electrochemical studies were performed in acetate buffer, pH 5.5. The modified rGO-AuNPs-Cdots electrode showed good electrocatalytic response for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol in the presence of resorcinol with detection limit of 1.2 × 10−8 mol L−1 and 9.6 × 10−8 mol L−1, respectively. This electrode also showed good electrocatalytic response for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol in real samples in the presence of other interferents.