Preparation and characterization of tin oxide, SnO 2 nanoparticles decorated graphene

Abstract

SnO 2 nanoparticles/graphene (SnO 2/GP) nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile microwave method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the nanocomposite corresponded to the diffraction peak typical of graphene and the rutile phase of SnO 2 with tetragonal structure. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images revealed that the graphene sheets were dotted with SnO 2 nanoparticles with an average size of 10 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that the development of SnO 2/GP resulted from the removal of the oxygenous groups on graphene oxide (GO) by Sn 2+ ions. The nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) showed excellent enhancement of electrochemical performance when interacting with mercury(II) ions in potassium chloride supporting electrolyte. The current was increased by more than tenfold, suggesting its potential to be used as a mercury(II) sensor. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.