Synthesis of one-dimensional poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-graphene composites for the simultaneous detection of hydroquinone, catechol, resorcinol, and nitrite

- 1D Poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-graphene (PEDOT-Gr) composites were synthesized.
- Graphene nanosheets were prepared on a Ta sheet via CVD.
- A PEDOT layer was prepared on graphene by electropolymerization of monomers.
- The high defect density of the graphene edges favored the growth of 1D PEDOT.
- The composites exhibited good sensing properties for dihydroxybenzenes and nitrite.

A series of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-graphene composites (PEDOT-Gr) have been synthesized by in situ electropolymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on graphene nanosheets. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the composites consisted of PEDOT and graphene, while scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of one-dimensional (1D) PEDOT structures with diameters of approximately 200 nm. For simultaneous determination of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), resorcinol (RC), and nitrite, the 1D PEDOT-graphene composite-coated electrodes showed peak-to-peak separations of 108 mV between HQ and CC, 392 mV between CC and RC, and 188 mV between RC and nitrite. The detection limits were 0.06, 0.08, 0.16, and 7 μM for HQ, CC, RC, and nitrite, respectively. The 1D PEDOT-graphene composite exhibited high electrocatalytic activity and selectivity, rapid response capability, and long life. These properties are due to the 1D morphology of the PEDOT structures that generate large specific surface areas, the unique hybrid structure-generated electronic properties, and chemical compatibility.

A multi-species-response electrochemical sensor was constructed by in-situ electropolymerization of one-dimensional poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) onto CVD-grown graphene nanosheets.174