Unique ZnS nanobuns decorated with reduced graphene oxide as an efficient and low-cost counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Unique ZnS nanobuns decorated with reduced graphene oxide （ROO） was synthesized and found to exhibit a synergetic effect as a highly efficient and low-cost counter electrode （CE） in dye-sensitized solar cells （DSCs）. Using this ZnS-ROO CE, a power conversion efficiency （PCE） of 7.03% was achieved. This value was 53% and 41 % higher than those of pure ZnS and ROO CEs, respectively. The ZnS-ROO nanocomposite is indeed an efficient and cost-effective Pt-like alternative for iodine reduction reaction.     

Facile synthesis of Fe3O4/reduced graphene oxide/polyvinyl pyrrolidone ternary composites and their enhanced microwave absorbing properties

In this paper, ternary nanocomposites of Fe₃O₄/reduced graphene oxide/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (Fe₃O₄/rGO/PVP) as a novel type of electromagnetic microwave absorbing materials were synthesized by a three-step chemical approach. First, Fe₃O₄ nanospheres were made by solvent thermal method. Successively, the Fe₃O₄ particles were assembled with rGO after having activated by para-aminobenzoic acid. PVP grafting and reduction of GO happened simultaneously in the third step. It is found that the electromagnetic absorption (EA) performance of synthesized ternary composites with suitable PVP amount had been significantly enhanced comparing to Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/rGO. Merely 15?wt% low loading in paraffin and thin as 2.8?mm can reach effective EA bandwidth (below ?10 Db) of 11.2?GHz, and the highest reflection loss reached ?67?dB at 10.7?GHz. It was demonstrated that these composites show an effective route to novel microwave absorbing material design.     

Palladium nanoparticles decorated on reduced graphene oxide: An efficient catalyst for ligand‐ and copper‐free Sonogashira reaction at room temperature

This article focuses on a room temperature copper‐free Sonagashira cross‐coupling reaction in ethanol, catalysed by palladium nanoparticles homogeneously deposited on reduced graphene oxide. The catalyst showed efficient catalytic activity towards the said coupling reaction, and was well characterized using various techniques, and could be reused up to six times with almost constant yield of the desired product. The attractions of this protocol are that the reaction completes within short reaction time under ligand‐ and copper‐free conditions and it avoids harsh reaction conditions.     

Preparation of cobalt-tetraphenylporphyrin/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite and its application on hydrogen peroxide biosensor

A novel cobalt-tetraphenylporphyrin/reduced graphene oxide (CoTPP/RGO) nanocomposite was prepared by a π–π stacking interaction and characterized by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CoTPP/RGO nanocomposite exhibited high electrocatalytic activity both for oxidation and reduction of H₂O₂. The current response was linear to H₂O₂ concentration with the concentration range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.4 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ (R = 0.998) at the reductive potential of −0.20 V and from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.6 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ (R = 0.996) at the oxidative potential of +0.50 V. The H₂O₂ biosensor showed good anti-interfering ability towards oxidative interferences at the oxidative potential of +0.50 V and good anti-interfering ability towards reductive interferences at the reductive potential of −0.20 V.     

One-pot green synthesis of Prussian blue nanocubes decorated reduced graphene oxide using mushroom extract for efficient 4-nitrophenol reduction

One-pot green approach to the synthesis of Prussian blue nanocubes/reduced graphene oxide (PBNCs/RGO) nanocomposite had been attempted. It was based on the extract of mushroom with K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and graphene oxide (GO) as precursors, where the reduction of GO and the deposition of PBNCs occurred simultaneously. The obtained nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. With the introduction of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), the β-CD/PBNCs/RGO system showed linear behavior in the range from 0.01 to 700 μM for 4-nitrophenol with a low detection limit of 2.34 nM (S/N = 3).     

Construction of zinc selenide microspheres decorated with octadecylamine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide as an effective catalyst for the dual-mode detection of chloroquine phosphate

Zinc selenide microspheres were constructed using a simple hydrothermal technique at 180°C. It was ultrasonically treated with reduced graphene oxide modified with octadecylamine alkyl amine to form a hybrid nanocomposite. The optical, structural, and functional analysis by ultraviolet (UV) absorbance, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the crystal nature of the microspheres and the successful formation of the nanocomposite. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were done to study the morphological properties of the material. It was further used to fabricate a dual-modality sensor using both electrochemical and absorbance techniques for the detection of antimalarial drug chloroquine phosphate (CQP), which was used for the treatment of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. For electrochemical detection, the sensor showed a very low detection limit of 1.43 nM at a linear working range of 0.199–250.06 μM and a high sensitivity of 43.912 μA/μM/cm². For UV-based detection, the sensor showed a very low detection limit of 6.88 nM at a linear working range of 0.045–7.324 μM. The sensor showed excellent analyte recovery rate for real-time analysis in biological as well as environmental samples. The results suggested that the sensor is effective for the detection of CQP with feasibility for future commercialization.     

Ionic liquid-assisted electrochemical determination of pyrimethanil using reduced graphene oxide conjugated to flower-like NiCo2O4

The novel hierarchical flower-like superstructure NiCo₂O₄/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrids have been successfully synthesized with a facile one-step hydrothermal process for the determination of fungicide pyrimethanil (PMT). For comparison, various structures of NiCo₂O₄/rGO including hexagonal nanoplates and nanorods were also synthesized. Among them, three-dimensional (3D) flower-like NiCo₂O₄/rGO exhibited the highest electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of PMT. With the synergistic effect of [OMIM]PF₆ ionic liquid (IL), the electrochemical sensor film (NiCo₂O₄/rGO/IL) further facilitated interfacial electron transfer and enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of PMT. Under the optimum conditions, the electrochemical sensor exhibited two linear ranges of 0.1–10.0 μmol/L and 20.0–140 μmol/L for PMT with a low detection concentration of 11.0 nmol/L. Besides, the interference, repeatability, reproducibility and stability measurements were also evaluated. The proposed method was successfully applied to the detection of PMT in water, seawater, fruits and vegetables with good recovery ranging from 93% to 105%, and possessed potential applications in the analysis of real samples.     

The loading of polyoxometalates based compound on reduced graphene oxide,a composite material for electrical energy storage and tetracycline removal

A polyoxometalate based composite material (NiPW₁₂NP/FrGO) was synthesized successfully, in which the nanoparticle of a polyoxometalate compound (NiPW₁₂NP) distributes on carboxylate group functionalized reduced graphene oxide (FrGO) homogenously. There exist intensive chemical bonds between NiPW₁₂NP and FrGO, which guarantees the stability of this composite material. When employed as a cathode material, NiPW₁₂NP/FrGO exhibits high specific capacitance, remarkable rate capability and long-term stability. When the current density is 4 A g⁻¹, a specific capacitance as high as 437.6 F g⁻¹ is achieved by NiPW₁₂NP/FrGO. With NiPW₁₂NP/FrGO serving as cathode and MnO₂ acting as anode, a high performance asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) is assembled, which possesses a high energy density of 12.96 W h·kg⁻¹ at 0.67 kW kg⁻¹. It also shows a good rate capability, when the current density increases from 4 to 12 A g⁻¹, its specific capacitances decreases from 115.2 to 90.9 F g⁻¹, with 78.9% capacitance retention. After 5000 cycles charge-discharge experiments, 94.3% of its capacitance can be maintained, which exhibits good stability. Furthermore, NiPW₁₂NP/FrGO composite material also shows excellent tetracycline adsorption ability with capacity 288.28 mg g⁻¹, the adsorption can be well described with Temkin model, which suggests electrostatic attraction dominates the adsorption process.     

Novel Ag2S nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide sheets as a super-efficient catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Here,Ag_2S nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide(Ag_2S NPs/RGO) nanocomposites with relatively good distribution are synthesized for the first time by conversing Ag NPs/RGO to Ag_2S NPs/RGO via a facile hydrothermal sulfurization method.As an noval catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol(4-NP),it only takes 5 min for Ag_2S NPs/RGO to reduce 98% of 4-NP,and the rate constant of the composites is almost 13 times higher than that of Ag NPs/RGO composites.The high catalytic activity of Ag_2S NPs/RGO can be attributed to the following three reasons:(1) Like metal complex catalysts,the Ag_2S NPs is also rich with metal center Ag(δ~+),with pendant base S(δ) close to it,and thus the Ag and basic S function as the electron-acceptor and proton-acceptor centers,respectively,which facilitates the catalyst reaction;(2)RGO features the high adsorption ability toward 4-NP which provides a high concentration of 4-NP near the Ag_2S NPs;and(3) electron transfer from RGO to Ag_2S NPs,facilitating the uptake of electrons by 4-NP molecules.     

Layer-by-layer thin film of reduced graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles as an effective sample plate in laser-induced desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

This work demonstrated a simple platform for rapid and effective surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SALDI-TOF MS) measurements based on the layer structure of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and gold nanoparticles. A multi-layer thin film was fabricated by alternate layer-by-layer depositions of rGO and gold nanoparticles (LBL rGO/AuNP). The flat and clean two-dimensional film was served as the sample plate and also functioned as the matrix in SALDI-TOF MS. By simply one-step deposition of analytes onto the LBL rGO/AuNP sample plate, the MS measurements of various homogeneous samples were ready to execute. The optimization of MS signal was reached by the variation of the layer numbers of rGO and gold nanoparticles. Also, the small molecules including amino acids, carbohydrates and peptides were successfully analyzed in SALDI-TOF MS using the LBL rGO/AuNP sample plate. The results showed that the signal intensity, S N⁻¹ ratio and reproducibility of SALDI-TOF spectra have been significantly improved in comparison to the uses of gold nanoparticles or α-cyano-4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid (CHCA) as the assisted matrixes. Taking the advantages of the unique properties of rGO and gold nanoparticles, the ready-to-use MS sample plate, which could absorb and dissipate laser energy to analytes quite efficiently and homogeneously, has shown great commercial potentials for MS applications.     

Reduced graphene oxide/iron oxide hybrid composite material as an efficient magnetically separable heterogeneous catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Reduced graphene oxide was synthesized and functionalized with FeSO₄⋅7H₂O to form a reduced graphene oxide/iron oxide hybrid composite. The hybrid composite was extensively characterized using various techniques. Its application for transfer hydrogenation of various ketones was studied. The investigation showed that it serves as a good catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of aromatic and some aliphatic ketones resulting in excellent isolated yields (97–99%) of products. It is magnetically separable showing good reusability. The products were characterized and compared with authentic ones.     

Manganese oxide nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide as an efficient nanocatalyst for the synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles from aldehydes

The easy synthesis of graphene oxide (GO)-supported manganese dioxide (MnO₂) nanoparticles as a stable heterogeneous nanocatalyst (MnO₂@GO) is described. This catalyst was investigated in the synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles from amidoximes and aldehydes via a cyclization and oxidation process. The nanocomposite was prepared and characterized using various techniques. The catalytic application of the nanocomposite was examined in the reaction of a variety of aldehydes with aliphatic and aromatic amidoximes. The stable and robust catalyst was recycled for seven consecutive runs without a significant decrease in the catalytic activity.     

Study on the application of reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes hybrid materials for simultaneous determination of catechol,hydroquinone, p-cresol and nitrite

In this paper, the reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes hybrid materials (RGO–MWNTs) were prepared and a strategy for detecting environmental contaminations was proposed on the basis of RGO–MWNTs modified electrode. The hybrid materials were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N₂ sorption–desorption isotherms. Due to the excellent catalytic activity, enhanced electrical conductivity and high surface area of the RGO–MWNTs, the simultaneous measurement of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), p-cresol (PC) and nitrite (NO₂⁻) with four well-separate peaks was achieved at the RGO–MWNTs modified electrode. The linear response ranges for HQ, CC, PC and NO₂⁻ were 8.0–391.0 μM, 5.5–540.0 μM, 5.0–430.0 μM and 75.0–6060.0 μM, correspondingly, and the detection limits (S/N = 3) were 2.6 μM, 1.8 μM, 1.6 μM and 25.0 μM, respectively. The outstanding film forming ability of RGO–MWNTs hybrid materials endowed the modified electrode enhanced stability. Furthermore, the fabricated sensor was applied for the simultaneous determination of HQ, CC, PC and NO₂⁻ in the river water sample.     

Mn(III)-porphyrin/graphene oxide nanocomposite as an efficient catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons

In this study, manganese porphyrin was grafted on the surface of graphene oxide nanosheets via covalent bonding to produce a heterogeneous catalyst. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized using X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and thermogravimetric analysis. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was also used to determine the amount of the loaded catalyst. The catalytic efficiency of the immobilized Mn-porphyrin was investigated for the aerobic oxidation of alkenes and saturated alkanes in acetone under mild reaction conditions. The prepared heterogenized catalyst displays superior catalytic performance as compared to the homogeneous catalyst. Moreover, the excellent turnover number (more than 31,767) achieved for the oxidation of styrene indicates the high longevity of the supported catalyst. The catalyst structure is preserved well after the oxidation reaction and is simply reused at least five times, without any significant loss of the catalytic efficiency.     

An electrochemical sensor based on Pt nanoparticles decorated over-oxidized polypyrrole/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for simultaneous determination of two neurotransmitters dopamine and 5-Hydroxy tryptamine in the presence of ascorbic acid

Abstract

In this study, the Pt nanoparticles/over-oxidized polypyrrole nanofiber/reduced graphene oxide (Pt NPs/OPPy/RGO) nanocomposite was electrochemically synthesized and used to modify a glassy carbon electrode. To confirm the Surface morphology and characterization of the nanocomposite, field emission scanning microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, FT-IR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used. Simultaneous determination of these species showed one linear response 0.1–250.0?μM and two linear responses 0.5–10.0?μM and 10.0–470.0?μM, with detection limits 42?nM and 106?nM (S/N?=?3) for DA and 5-HT, respectively. Finally, the analytical application of this modified electrode was investigated in the human blood plasma.     

Selective separation and determination of the synthetic colorants in beverages by magnetic solid‐phase dispersion extraction based on a Fe3O4/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection

A facile adsorbent, a nanocomposite of Fe₃O₄ and reduced graphene oxide, was fabricated for the selective separation and enrichment of synthetic aromatic azo colorants by magnetic solid‐phase dispersion extraction. The nanocomposite was synthesized in a one‐step reduction reaction and characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The colorants in beverages were quickly adsorbed onto the surface of the nanocomposite with strong π–π interactions between colorants and reduced graphene oxide, and separated with the assistance of an external magnetic field. Moreover, the four colorants in beverages were detected at different wavelengths by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. A linear dependence of peak area was obtained over 0.05–10 μg/mL with the limits of detection of 10.02, 11.90, 10.41, 15.91 ng/mL for tartrazine, allure red, amaranth, and new coccine, respectively (signal to noise = 3). The recoveries for the spiked colorants were in the range of 88.95–95.89% with the relative standard deviation less than 2.66%. The results indicated that the nanocomposite of Fe₃O₄ and reduced graphene oxide could be used as an excellent selective adsorbent for aromatic compounds and has potential applications in sample pretreatment.     

Vitamin B12 supported on graphene oxide: As a bio‐based catalyst for selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols

The environmental impact of chemical processes has now opened new windows of opportunity for bio‐based catalysts. In this paper a highly active bio‐based catalyst of vitamin B₁₂ supported on graphene oxide nanosheets is reported for the selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds. Operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, high yield and selectivity, non‐hazardous nature, commercial availability and affordability are the main advantages of this novel catalytic system.     

Immobilizing Pd nanoparticles on the ternary hybrid system of graphene oxide,Fe3O4 nanoparticles,and PAMAM dendrimer as an efficient support for catalyzing sonogashira coupling reaction

An alternative approach to develop a Pd catalyst based on dendrimer‐functionalized graphene oxide for C‐C cross‐coupling reactions is reported. Pd@MGO‐D‐NH₂ has been synthesized by incipient wet impregnation method. The structure of the catalyst was thoroughly characterized by a set of analytical techniques such as TEM, BET, SEM/EDS, FTIR, and elemental mapping analysis. Then, the catalytic activity of the catalyst was scrutinized for promoting sonogashira C‐C coupling reaction. The results manifested that Pd@MGO‐D‐NH₂ was able to catalyze the coupling reaction to obtain high coupling yields in short reaction time. The results of present work are hoped to aid the development of new class of heterogeneous catalysts as the high performance candidate for industrial applications.     

Magnetic CuO nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide as an efficient catalyst for A3-coupling synthesis of propargylamines

Magnetically separable CuO nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide (Fe₃O₄ NPs/GO-CuO NPs) is synthesized and characterized for the preparation of propargylamines in EtOH, at 90℃. Fe₃O₄ NPs/GO-CuO NPs is found to be an efficient catalyst for the A³-coupling of aldehydes, amines, and alkynes through C-H activation. Both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and alkynes are combined with secondary amines to provide a wide range of propargylamines in moderate to excellent yields.     

Gold nanoparticles supported on three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped graphene: an efficient catalyst for selective aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons under mild conditions

The development of efficient and selective aerobic oxidation of alkylarenes to form more functional compounds by heterogeneously catalysed routes still presents a great challenge in the fine chemical industry and is a major research topic. In this work, gold nanoparticles supported on three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped graphene‐based frameworks (Au NPs@3D‐(N)GFs) were successfully synthesized and found to have an impressive performance as bifunctional catalysts (nitrogen dopant as base and gold nanoparticles as active site) in the controlled oxidation of alkylarenes. The catalyst was found to be a simple bench top, stable, recyclable and selective catalytic system for the aerobic oxidation of various types of alkylarenes into their corresponding ketones at room temperature under environmentally friendly conditions with good yields and high selectivity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.