Chemical vapor deposition graphene combined with Pt nanoparticles applied in non-enzymatic sensing of ultralow concentrations of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

In this work, a glassy carbon electrode modified with Pt nanoparticles supported on chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene (PtNPs/GR) was constructed and used to non-enzymatically detect ultralow concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The application of in situ sputtering avoided not only the removal of surfactant from Pt nanoparticle surfaces, but also the complicated transfer of CVD-grown graphene. A PtNPs/GR free-standing film was fabricated by synergizing the good ductility of the CVD-grown graphene with the good dispersion and residual-free nature of the Pt nanoparticles. When compared with easily stacked and agglomerated powder graphene-supported Pt nanoparticles, the PtNPs/GR sensor with well-exposed active catalyst sites showed advantages in H₂O₂ detection. For example, the sensor showed a quick response of less than 3 s, and showed a lower detection limit (0.18 nM, S/N = 3) than did similar graphene-supported Pt nanoparticle materials. In addition, the preparation method involving CVD and sputtering allows for the large-scale production of this sensor and applications in practical electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide.