Study on the application of reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes hybrid materials for simultaneous determination of catechol, hydroquinone, p-cresol and nitrite

In this paper, the reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes hybrid materials (RGO–MWNTs) were prepared and a strategy for detecting environmental contaminations was proposed on the basis of RGO–MWNTs modified electrode. The hybrid materials were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2 sorption–desorption isotherms. Due to the excellent catalytic activity, enhanced electrical conductivity and high surface area of the RGO–MWNTs, the simultaneous measurement of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), p-cresol (PC) and nitrite (NO2−) with four well-separate peaks was achieved at the RGO–MWNTs modified electrode. The linear response ranges for HQ, CC, PC and NO2− were 8.0–391.0 μM, 5.5–540.0 μM, 5.0–430.0 μM and 75.0–6060.0 μM, correspondingly, and the detection limits (S/N = 3) were 2.6 μM, 1.8 μM, 1.6 μM and 25.0 μM, respectively. The outstanding film forming ability of RGO–MWNTs hybrid materials endowed the modified electrode enhanced stability. Furthermore, the fabricated sensor was applied for the simultaneous determination of HQ, CC, PC and NO2− in the river water sample.

In this paper, the reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes hybrid materials (RGO–MWNTs) were prepared and a novel strategy for the simultaneous determination of multiple environmental contaminations has been proposed on the basis of RGO–MWNTs hybrid materials modified electrode. The hybrid materials were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2 sorption–desorption isotherms. Due to the excellent catalytic activity, enhanced electrical conductivity, high surface area and porous structure of the RGO–MWNTs, the RGO–MWNTs/GCE achieved the simultaneous measurement of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), p-cresol (PC) and nitrite (NO2−) with well-separate four peaks. Scheme 1a illuminated the preparation process of the RGO–MWNTs hybrid materials. Scheme 1b explains the electron mediating properties of RGO–MWNTs/GCE towards the oxidation of HQ, CC, PC and NO2−. Scheme 1c presented the SEM image of RGO–MWNTs hybrid materials. Scheme 1d and e showed the 2D and 3D AFM images of RGO–MWNTs films, respectively.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The novel RGO–MWNTs hybrid materials were synthesized.
► The simultaneous detection of four environmental contaminations was achieved.
► SEM, AFM, XPS was employed to characterize the RGO–MWNTs hybrid materials.