Carbon Based Nanomaterials for High Performance Optoelectrochemical Systems

Bio-nanocomposites of graphene with biopolymers; fabrication, properties, and applications

The unique properties of graphene and graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites make them suitable for a wide range of medical, industrial, and agricultural applications. The addition of graphene or GO to a polymeric matrix can ameliorate its thermo-mechanical, electrical, and barrier characteristics. The present paper reviews the literature on graphene/GO-based bio-nanocomposites and examines the various fabrication methods, such as chemical vapor deposition, chemical synthesis, microwave synthesis, the solvothermal method, molecular beam epitaxy, and colloidal suspension. Each procedure potentially has its disadvantages, especially for mass production. Therefore, introducing an effective method for fabricating graphene on a large scale with high quality is essential. Recent studies have shown that graphene-based bio-nanocomposites are promising materials given their excellent performance in the development of biosensors, drug delivery systems, antimicrobials, modified electrodes, and energy storage systems among other applications. In this review, we evaluate the various procedures used for developing graphene/GO-based bio-nanocomposites and examine the features and applications of the related products. Furthermore, the toxicity of these compounds and attempts to uncover the optimal combinations of biopolymers and carbon nanomaterials for industrial applications will be discussed.

A hydrogen peroxide sensor based on TNM functionalized reduced graphene oxide grafted with highly monodisperse Pd nanoparticles

Addressed herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a tert-nonyl mercaptan (TNM) functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) supported palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) (Pd/TNM@rGO) as electrochemical sensor. The highly monodisperse Pd/TNM@rGO nanocomposite was applied for electrochemical determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at a potential range of -0.6 to +0.8 V. The Pd/TNM@rGO sensor demonstrated very high activity, sensitivity, reusability and durability toward H₂O₂ sensing. The well dispersed Pd/TNM@rGO nanocomposite has been characterized by using several analytical techniques such as, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The catalytic performance of prepared biosensor was also characterized by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) methods. The proposed H₂O₂ biosensor showed a broad linear range up to 12 mM, and a very low detection limit of 0.0025 μM, with a quick response time of less than 10 s. Additionally, the biosensor exhibited great capability, reproducibility and durability for the examination of H₂O₂.