Deposition of gold nanoparticles on β-FeOOH nanorods for detecting melamine in aqueous solution

► Controllable synthesis of Au/Pt@β-FeOOH nanocomposites without any linking mediates. ► Au@β-FeOOH nanostructure is very stable during phase transition into Fe3O4. ► Au@β-FeOOH nanocomposite shows high sensitivity toward melamine (<0.5 ppm).