Carbon nanodots as reductant and stabilizer for one-pot sonochemical synthesis of amorphous carbon-supported silver nanoparticles for electrochemical nonenzymatic H2O2 sensing

•Ag/C composites were synthesized through a one-pot sonochemical route.•Carbon nanodots derived from biomass acted as both reductant and capping agent.•Ag/C shows high sensitivity and low detection limit as a nonenzymatic H2O2 sensor.

We report a one-pot and environment-friendly sonochemical synthesis of amorphous carbon-supported silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using carbon nanodots derived from biomass, as a combined reducing and capping agent. The as-prepared amorphous carbon-supported silver nanoparticles (Ag/C nanocomposites) exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Moreover, the Ag/C modified glassy carbon electrode showed a good sensing ability with high sensitivity and low detection limit serving as a nonenzymatic H2O2 sensor. This facile approach to synthesize amorphous carbon-supported Ag NPs not only avoided the use of chemical reductants but also improved the electrocatalytic activity and stability of Ag NPs.

Graphical abstractThe Ag/C nanocomposite, a nonenzymatic H2O2 sensor, was successfully synthesized through a one-pot sonochemical approach using carbon nanodots derived from biomass, as a combined reducing and capping agent.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide