Hexagonal cerium oxide decorated on β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets stabilized by reduced graphene oxide for effective sensing of H2O2

Abstract

Cerium oxide decorated on nickel hydroxide anchored on reduced graphene oxide (Ce-Ni(OH)2/rGO) composite with hexagonal structures were synthesized by facile hydrothermal method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with selected area diffraction (HRTEM-SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis and electrochemical technology were used to characterize the composite. Due to its unique two-dimensional structures and synergistic effect among Ce2O3, Ni(OH)2 and rGO components indicated two-dimensional hexagonal nano Ce-Ni(OH)2/rGO composite is promising electrode material for improved electrochemical H2O2 sensing application. From 50 to 800 µM, the H2O2 concentration was linearly proportional to the oxidation current, with a lower detection of limit of 10.5 µM (S/N = 3). The sensor has a higher sensitivity of 0.625 μA μM−1 cm−2. In addition, the sensor demonstrated high selectivity, repeatability and stability. These findings proved the viability of the synthetic method and the potential of the composites as a H2O2 sensing option.