Multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoribbons hybrid materials with superior electrochemical performance

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) were synthesized by oxidation of arc discharge multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in concentrated H2SO4 using KMnO4 as oxidizing agent at different times from 15 to 120 min. One of the GNR samples was further electrochemically and chemically reduced. The material obtained after 15 min of oxidation time (GNR015) was a hybrid material containing MWCNTs, partially unzipped GNRs-MWCNTs and fully unzipped GNRs, and it demonstrated a superior electrochemical performance. This material presented the highest heterogeneous charge transfer constant and sensitivity towards H2O2 reduction. These properties are due to the balance between the content of unzipped MWCNTs, Csp2 carbon structure and oxygen moieties. GNR015, thus reveals as a promising platform for further applications in electrochemical sensing.