Facile method to prepare Pd/graphene–polyaniline nanocomposite and used as new electrode material for electrochemical sensing

A new facile in situ direct synthesis method of graphene–aniline (Gr–aniline) nanocomplex by a charge-transfer self-assembly technology at organic–aqueous interface was developed in this work. The graphene nanosheets can be dissolved in aniline without any prior chemical functionalization, and then Gr–aniline is soluble in a variety of organic solvents. The graphene–polyaniline (Gr–PANI) nanocomposite was prepared by simultaneous electropolymerization of Gr–aniline, and palladium nanoparticles were loaded onto the Gr–PANI nanocomposite to be used as a new electrode material for electrochemical sensing. Hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) were used as probe molecule to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity of Pd/Gr–PANI nanocomposite. The Pd/Gr–PANI nanocomposite shows so excellent electro-catalytic activities toward the oxidation of HQ and CC isomers that the oxidation peaks of the two molecules were well and easily resolved. The excellent reproducibility, stability and selectivity of the Pd/Gr–PANI nanocomposite make it a potential candidate as electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of HQ and CC isomers.

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► The Gr colloids were prepared by the reduction of graphite oxide.
► In situ direct synthesis of graphene–aniline complex by a charge-transfer self-assembly technology.
► The Gr–aniline nanocomplex has peculiar optical property with different Gr contents.
► The graphene–polyaniline was prepared by electropolymerization of Gr–aniline.
► The Pd/Gr–PANI nanocomposite has high electrocatalytic activity for hydroquinone and catechol.