Non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensors based on multi-wall carbon nanotube/Pt nanoparticle nanohybrids

Abstract

A novel strategy to fabricate a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensor was developed by using platinum (Pt) electrodes modified with multi-wall carbon nanotube-platinum nanoparticle nanohybrids (MWCNTs/Pt nanohybrids). The process to synthesize MWCNTs/Pt nanohybrids was simple and effective. Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) were generated in situ in a potassium chloroplatinate aqueous solution in the presence of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and readily attached to the MWCNTs convex surfaces without any additional reducing reagents or irradiation treatment. The MWCNT/Pt nanohybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the redox properties of MWCNTs/Pt nanohybrids-modified Pt electrode were studied by electrochemical measurements. The MWCNTs/Pt-modified electrodes exhibited a favorable catalytic ability in the reduction of H2O2. The modified electrodes can be used to detect H2O2 in the range of 0.01-2 mM with a lower detection limit of 0.3 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The sensitivity of the electrode to H2O2 was calculated to be 205.80 μA mM-1 cm-2 at working potential of 0 mV. In addition, the electrodes exhibited an excellent reusability and long-term stability as well as negligible interference from ascorbic acid, uric acid, and acetaminophen. © 2014 by the authors.