High loading MnO2 nanowires on graphene paper: Facile electrochemical synthesis and use as flexible electrode for tracking hydrogen peroxide secretion in live cells

• MnO2–graphene paper has been fabricated by one-step electrochemical method.
• MnO2–graphene paper serves as high-performance flexible electrode for nonenzymatic electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide.
• MnO2–graphene paper electrode has been used for real-time tracking hydrogen peroxide secretion by live cells.

Recent progress in flexible and lightweight electrochemical sensor systems requires the development of paper-like electrode materials. Here, we report a facile and green synthesis of a new type of MnO2 nanowires–graphene nanohybrid paper by one-step electrochemical method. This strategy demonstrates a collection of unique features including the effective electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) paper and the high loading of MnO2 nanowires on electrochemical reduced GO (ERGO) paper. When used as flexible electrode for nonenzymatic detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), MnO2–ERGO paper exhibits high electrocatalytic activity toward the redox of H2O2 as well as excellent stability, selectivity and reproducibility. The amperometric responses are linearly proportional to H2O2 concentration in the range 0.1–45.4 mM, with a detection limit of 10 μM (S/N = 3) and detection sensitivity of 59.0 μA cm−2 mM−1. These outstanding sensing performances enable the practical application of MnO2–ERGO paper electrode for the real-time tracking H2O2 secretion by live cells macrophages. Therefore, the proposed graphene-based nanohybrid paper electrode with intrinsic flexibility, tailorable shapes and adjustable properties can contribute to the full realization of high-performance flexible electrode material used in point-of-care testing devices and portable instruments for in-vivo clinical diagnostics and on-site environmental monitoring.

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