Template-assisted synthesis of rough Ag nanorods and their application for amperometric sensing of H2O2

Silver nanorods (Ag NRs) with rough sidewalls were successfully obtained via extremely simple template-assisted electrochemical deposition followed by selective dealloying. Ag-Zn NRs with an average diameter of ∼250 nm and the atomic ratio of about 1:1 were synthesized inside the nanochannels of a polycarbonate membrane. A chemical etching of Zn in a sulfuric acid solution led to the formation of NRs with smaller diameters, rough sidewalls, and much lower Zn content. Such kind of a material exhibited quite promising electrocatalytic properties toward reduction of hydrogen peroxide and can be used as an amperometric sensor for the detection and determination of H2O2.