Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of nitrogen-doped graphene for the reduction of nitro explosives

Nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) shows enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds with a decreased overpotential (ca. 20 mV) compared with thermally reduced graphene (TR-G) and thus a NG-based sensing platform for sensitively electrochemical detection of TNT with a lower detection limit has been constructed. This prominent electrocatalytic activity of NG could be ascribed to the pyridine-like nitrogen atoms existing at the edge plane of graphene sheets.

► Nitrogen-doped graphene shows high electrocatalytic activity toward NACs reduction.
► NG-based sensing platform can sensitive detect TNT with a lower detection limit.
► NG promises potential application in electrocatalysis and sensing fields.