Electrochemical performance of TiO2/Au/carbon nanotubes composite interface for hydroquinone detection

Abstract

A novel nanocomposite was prepared by direct mixing of titania nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) and gold nanoparticles (nano-Au)-modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a solution of chitosan. The electrochemical performance of a TiO2/Au/CNT nanocomposite-modified electrode for hydroquinone detection was investigated. When measured at a scan rate of 50 mV s -1, the detected amount of hydroquinone at the TiO 2/Au/CNT electrode varied linearly with hydroquinone concentration, for concentrations from 1 × 10 -6 to 1 × 10 -8 M; the sensitivity was 997 617 μA(mol l -1) -1, and the detection limit was 1 × 10 -10 M (S/N = 3). In all experiments, TiO2/Au/CNT nanocomposites exhibited better electrochemical performance than TiO2/CNT composites or CNTs. Enhanced current response can be attributed to the synergic effect of nano-TiO2, nano-Au and CNTs. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2013.