Characterization protocol to improve the electroanalytical response of graphene–polymer nanocomposite sensors

This work is focused on the application of advanced characterization techniques for the development of optimized electrochemical sensors based on graphene–polymer nanocomposites. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was synthesized and used as conducting nanofiller material in nanocomposite electrodes based on epoxy resin. A series of rGO/epoxy nanocomposite electrodes were fabricated containing 8%–20% of nanofiller material. Composition ratios have been studied using percolation theory and characterized by different electrochemical techniques, demonstrating that an optimization of the rGO/epoxy composition ratio is mandatory to enhance electrochemical performance. The potential of this approach in terms of electroanalytical response has been demonstrated by means of the amperometric detection of ascorbic acid, which was used as a model analyte. Finally, different morphological experiments were also carried out in order to verify the electrochemical and electroanalytical enhancement obtained for the optimized-nanocomposite sensors.