Xiao-Rong Li

Gold nanodendrities on graphene oxide nanosheets for oxygen reduction reaction

Gold nanodendrites (AuNDs) monodispersed on graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were successfully prepared using a clean synthesis method at room temperature and then applied for advanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, GO was used as the electron donors for reducing AuCl4− instead of any additional reductants and surfactants, leading to AuNDs with excellent monodispersity, uniformity and purity. The as-prepared AuNDs-loaded GO (AuNDs–GO) exhibit high electrocatalytic activity and a dominant four-electron pathway toward ORR. The AuNDs–GO also exhibit superior stability and methanol tolerance to a commercial Pt–C catalyst, making it a promising nanoelectrocatalyst in fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. This simple, straightforward, and general method is of significance for preparing high-performance metal nanocatalysts with a well-controlled morphology on appropriate supporting materials.

Potassium-doped graphene enhanced electrochemiluminescence of SiO2@CdS nanocomposites for sensitive detection of TATA-binding protein

Based on the amplified signal from SiO(2)@CdS nanocomposites integrated with K-doped graphene, a new electrochemiluminescence biosensor was developed for the successful detection of transcription factor TATA-binding protein (TBP).

Bimetallic Au@Pt@Au core–shell nanoparticles on graphene oxide nanosheets for high-performance H2O2 bi-directional sensing

Bimetallic Au@Pt@Au triple-layered core-shell nanoparticles consisting of a Au core, Pt inner shell, and an outer shell composed of Au protuberances on graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were successfully prepared by a galvanic replacement and reagent reduction reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were employed to characterize the GO-supported Au@Pt@Au (GO/Au@Pt@Au) nanocomposites. The as-prepared catalyst has peroxidase-like activity, allowing it to express high electrocatalytic ability in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidation and reduction, thus leading to a highly sensitive H2O2 bi-directional amperometric sensing. The bi-directional sensor showed a linear range from 0.05 μM to 17.5 mM with a detection limit of 0.02 μM (S/N = 3) at an applied potential of +0.5 V and a linear range from 0.5 μM to 110 mM with a detection limit of 0.25 μM (S/N = 3) at an applied potential of -0.3 V. The proposed sensor was tested to determine H2O2 released from living cells and shows good application potential in biological electrochemistry.