Non-enzymatic oxalic acid sensor using platinum nanoparticles modified on graphene nanosheets

Nanoscale. 2013 Jul 7;5(13):5779-83. doi: 10.1039/c3nr00848g. Epub 2013 May 9.

Abstract

An enzyme-free oxalic acid (OA) electrochemical sensor was assembled using a platinum nanoparticle-loaded graphene nanosheets (PtNPGNs)-modified electrode. The PtNPGNs, with a high yield of PtNPs dispersed on the graphene nanosheets, were successfully achieved by a green, rapid, one-step and template-free method. The resulting PtNPGNs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and an X-ray diffraction technique. Electrochemical oxidation of OA on the PtNPGNs-modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry methods. Based on the results, the modified electrode exhibited high electrochemical activity with well-defined peaks of OA oxidation and a notably decreased overpotential compared to the bare or even the GNs-modified electrode. Under optimized conditions, a good linear response was observed for the concentration of OA and its current response was in the range of 0.1-15 mM and 15-50 mM with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 10 μM. Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor presented good characteristics in terms of stability and reproducibility, promising the applicability of the sensor in practical analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Oxalic Acid / analysis*
  • Oxalic Acid / chemistry
  • Platinum / chemistry*

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Platinum
  • Graphite
  • Oxalic Acid