Fe3O4-functionalized graphene nanoribbons: Preparation, characterization, and improved electrochemical activity

• The Fe3O4-GNRs were prepared in a facile one-step solvothermal process.
• The electrochemical activities of Fe3O4-GNRs and Fe3O4-G were compared.
• Fe3O4-GNRs show better electrochemical activity than Fe3O4-G for dopamine oxidation.
• It is useful for understanding the structure/property relation of carbon materials.

Fe3O4-functionalized graphene nanoribbons (Fe3O4-GNRs) were prepared in situ by a facile one-step solvothermal process. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, etc., and the results indicate that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully formed on the GNRs. Furthermore, the electrochemical activity of Fe3O4-GNRs and Fe3O4-functionalized graphene nanosheets (Fe3O4-G) was compared by employing dopamine as the redox probe, which indicated that the redox process of the probe at Fe3O4-GNRs is faster than that at the Fe3O4-G modified electrode. This study could be potentially useful for understanding the structure/property relationship of the graphene-based materials, and synthesizing advanced graphene-based materials for electrochemical applications.