Electrodeposition of gold nanoparticle arrays on ITO glass as electrode with high electrocatalytic activity

Herein, we reported a templateless, surfactantless, and simple electrochemical method to directly fabricate gold nanoparticle (AuNP) arrays on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrates as effective electrocatalytic electrodes. The as-prepared AuNP arrays have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. AuNPs with small sizes (<20 nm) were uniformly deposited on the ITO glass under constant current densities, and particle densities can be adjusted by varying the applied charges. The resultant AuNP array electrode showed higher catalytic activity and good stability toward electro-oxidation of ascorbic acid compared with other electrodes, such as bare ITO electrode, bare glassy carbon electrode and bulk gold film electrode.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Electrodeposition of gold nanoparticle arrays on ITO glass as catalytic-electrodes. ► The sizes and densities of the gold nanoparticles can be easily controlled. ► Such arrays on ITO glass shows high electrocatalytic activity and good stability.