Search Results (36)

In this study, two types of gas sensors—silicone-based interdigital electrode and silicon micropillar sensors based on rGO and rGO/SnO₂—were fabricated. Their gas-sensing performance was investigated at room temperature. First, interdigital electrodes of different channel widths were fabricated to investigate the impact of the channel width parameter. Subsequently, the rGO/SnO₂ doping ratio in the composite material was varied to identify the optimal composition for gas sensitivity. Additionally, triangular and square-arrayed silicon micropillar substrates were fabricated via photolithography and inductively coupled plasma etching. The rGO/SnO₂-based gas sensor on a silicon micropillar substrate exhibited an ultra-high specific surface area. The triangular micropillar arrangement of rGO/SnO₂-160 demonstrates the best performance, showing approximately 14% higher response and a 106 s reduction in response time compared with interdigital electrode sensors spray-coated with the same concentration of rGO/SnO₂ when tested at room temperature under 250 ppm NO₂. The optimized sensor achieves a detection limit as low as 5 ppm and maintains high responsiveness, even in conditions of 60% relative humidity (RH). Additionally, the repeatability, selectivity, and stability of the sensor were evaluated. Finally, structural and morphological characterization was conducted using XRD, SEM, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed the successful modification of rGO with SnO₂. Full article

The widespread adoption of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) remains constrained by the inherent limitations of conventional anode materials, particularly their inadequate electronic conductivity, limited active sites, and pronounced structural degradation during cycling. To overcome these limitations, we propose a novel redox engineering approach to fabricate oxygen-vacancy-rich SnO₂ dots anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), which are encapsulated within N-doped carbon nanofibers (denoted as ov-SnO₂/rGO@N-CNFs) through electrospinning and subsequent carbonization. The introduction of rich oxygen vacancies establishes additional sodium intercalation sites and enhances Na⁺ diffusion kinetics, while the conductive N-doped carbon network effectively facilitates charge transport and mitigates SnO₂ aggregation. Benefiting from the well-designed architecture, the hierarchical ov-SnO₂/rGO@N-CNFs electrode achieves remarkable reversible specific capacities of 351 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and 257.3 mAh g⁻¹ after 2000 cycles at 1.0 A g⁻¹ and maintains 177 mAh g⁻¹ even after 8000 cycles at 5.0 A g⁻¹, demonstrating exceptional long-term cycling stability and rate capability. This work offers a versatile design strategy for developing high-performance anode materials through synergistic interface engineering for SIBs. Full article

KSnI₃-based perovskite solar cells have attracted a lot of research interest due their unique electronic, optical, and thermal properties. In this study, we optimized the performance of various lead-free perovskite solar cell structures—specifically, FTO/Al–ZnO/KSnI₃/rGO/Se, FTO/LiTiO₂/KSnI₃/rGO/Se, FTO/ZnO/KSnI₃/rGO/Se, and FTO/SnO₂/KSnI₃/rGO/Se, using the SCAPS-1D simulation tool. The optimization focused on the thicknesses and dopant densities of the rGO, KSnI₃, Al–ZnO, LiTiO₂, ZnO, and SnO₂ layers, the thickness of the FTO electrode, as well as the defect density of KSnI₃. This yielded PCE values of 27.60%, 24.94%, 27.62%, and 30.21% for the FTO/Al–ZnO/KSnI₃/rGO/Se, FTO/LiTiO₂/KSnI₃/rGO/Se, FTO/ZnO/KSnI₃/rGO/Se, and FTO/SnO₂/KSnI₃/rGO/Se perovskite solar cell configurations, respectively. The FTO/SnO₂/KSnI₃/rGO/Se device is 7.43% more efficient than the FTO/SnO₂/3C-SiC/KSnI₃/NiO/C device, which is currently the highest performing KSnI₃-based perovskite solar cell in the literature. Thus, our FTO/SnO₂/KSnI₃/rGO/Se perovskite solar cell structure is now, by far, the most efficient PSC design. Its best performance is achieved under ideal conditions of a series resistance of 0.5 Ω cm², a shunt resistance of 10⁷ Ω cm², and a temperature of 371 K. Full article

The highly selective and sensitive determination of pesticide residues in food is critical for human health protection. Herein, the specific selectivity of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was proposed to construct an electrochemical sensor for the detection of carbendazim (CBD), one of the famous broad-spectrum fungicides, by combining with the synergistic effect of bioelectrocatalysis and nanocomposites. Gold nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide (AuNP-rGO) composites were electrodeposited on a polished glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Then the MIP films were electropolymerized on the surface of the nanolayer using CBD as the template molecule and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) as the monomer. The detection sensitivity of CBD on the heterogeneous structure films was greatly amplified by AuNP-rGO composites and the bioelectrochemical oxidation of glucose, which was catalyzed by glucose oxidase (GOD) with the help of mediator in the underlying solution. The developed sensor showed high selectivity, good reproducibility, and excellent stability towards CBD with the linear range from 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁵ M, and the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.68 nM (S/N = 3). The expected system would provide a new idea for the development of simple and sensitive molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors (MIESs). Full article

Flexible electrodes are highly desirable for next-generation wearable lithium-ion batteries. To achieve high-capacity flexible electrode materials, SnO₂ with high theoretical capacity has been introduced into electrodes and shows promising capacity. However, the electrodes are still confronted with major challenges in terms of inferior rate capability and cycling stability, which are caused by large volume changes of SnO₂ during the lithiation/delithiation process. Here, we adopt an adsorption assembly strategy to fabricate a flexible carbon fiber/SnO₂@rGO electrode that effectively stabilizes the volume changes of SnO₂ and enhances the charge transport kinetics in electrodes. The sandwich-like structure endows the electrode’s high flexibility and succeeds in improving both rate capability and cycling stability. The flexible carbon fiber/SnO₂@rGO electrode delivers a high capacity of 453 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹ and outstanding capacity retention of 88% after 1000 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹. Full article

Compared with conventional Fenton processes, the electro-Fenton process consumes fewer chemicals and produces less sludge, as it can generate the required Fenton’s reagents in situ. In this work, an electro-Fenton reactor was constructed to treat synthetic rhodamine B (Rh B) wastewater, in which a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) was used as a cathode to produce H₂O₂, and heterogeneous CuFeO@C particles were used to generate Fe²⁺ in situ. The results indicated that the gas diffusion electrode made of elements N-S-B and r-graphene oxide (NSB-r-GO) composites produced more H₂O₂ than the one made from r-graphene oxide (r-GO), under the conditions of 0.1 mol ·L⁻¹ Na₂SO₄ electrolyte, 10 mA·cm⁻² current density, and 1.0 L·min⁻¹ O₂ flow rate, with the accumulated H₂O₂ production reaching 105.43 mg·L⁻¹. Additionally, different iron morphologies, including octahedral Fe (II), octahedral Fe (III), and tetrahedral Fe (III), were found in the calcined CuFeO@C particles, approximately 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ of iron ions dissolved in the electrolyte was detected, which worked simultaneously as conductive electrodes in a conceptual three-dimensional electrochemical reactor consisting of a gas diffusion electrode cathode, Ti/RuSn anode, and CuFeO@C particle electrodes. No external Fenton reagents were necessary. Full article

The study utilized a simple and cost-effective approach to improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting performance of various materials, including reduced graphene oxide (rGO), tin oxide nanostructures (SnO₂), and rGO/SnO₂ composites. The composites examined were rS15, containing 15 mg of rGO and 45 mg of SnO₂, and rS5, with 5 mg of rGO and 50 mg of SnO₂, tested in a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) electrolyte. Notably, the rS5 electrode showed a significant increase in PEC efficiency in 0.1 M NaOH, achieving a peak photocurrent density of 13.24 mA cm⁻² under illumination, which was seven times higher than that of pristine rGO nanostructures. This enhancement was attributed to the synergistic effects of the heterostructure, which reduced resistance and minimized charge recombination, thereby maximizing the catalytic activity across the various electrochemical applications. Furthermore, the rS5 anode demonstrated improved Tafel parameters, indicating faster reaction kinetics and lower overpotential for efficient current generation. These results highlight the potential for optimizing nanostructures to significantly enhance PEC performance, paving the way for advancements in sustainable water-splitting technologies. Full article

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a signaling molecule that has the capacity to control a variety of biological processes in organisms. Cancer cells release more H₂O₂ during abnormal tumor growth. There has been a considerable amount of interest in utilizing H₂O₂ as a biomarker for the diagnosis of cancer tissue. In this study, an electrochemical sensor for H₂O₂ was constructed based on 3D reduced graphene oxide (rGO), MXene (Ti₃C₂), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite. Three-dimensional (3D) rGO–Ti₃C₂–MWCNTs sensor showed good linearity for H₂O₂ in the ranges of 1–60 μM and 60 μM–9.77 mM at a working potential of −0.25 V, with sensitivities of 235.2 µA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² and 103.8 µA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively, and a detection limit of 0.3 µM (S/N = 3). The sensor exhibited long-term stability, good repeatability, and outstanding immunity to interference. In addition, the modified electrode was employed to detect real-time H₂O₂ release from cancer cells and cancer tissue ex vivo. Full article

Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) is an important cancer-related biomarker for clinical diagnosis, especially for carcinomas of lung and thyroid origin. Herein, a novel label-free electrochemical immunosensor was prepared for TTF1 detection based on nanohybrids of ribbon-like tungsten disulfide-reduced graphene oxide (WS₂-rGO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The proposed immunosensor employed H₂O₂ as the electrochemical probe because of the excellent peroxidase-like activity of ribbon-like WS2-rGO. The introduction of AuNPs not only enhanced the electrocatalytic activity of the immunosensor, but also provided immobilization sites for binding TTF1 antibodies. The electrochemical signals can be greatly amplified due to their excellent electrochemical performance, which realized the sensitive determination of TTF1 with a wide linear range of 0.025–50 ng mL⁻¹ and a lower detection limit of 0.016 ng mL⁻¹ (S/N = 3). Moreover, the immunosensor exhibited high selectivity, good reproducibility, and robust stability, as well as the ability to detect TTF1 in human serum with satisfactory results. These observed properties of the immunosensor enhance its potential practicability in clinical applications. This method can also be used for the detection of other tumor biomarkers by using the corresponding antigen–antibody complex. Full article

SnO₂ nanowires are locally synthesized by a simple thermal evaporation method and its growth mechanism is confirmed. Here, we present a simple strategy for realizing reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/SnO₂ nanowires heterostructure. As expected, the heterostructure gas-sensing response is up to 63.3 when the gas concentration of trimethylamine (TEA) is 50 ppm, and it exhibits an excellent dynamic response with high stability at 180 °C. A low detection limit of 50 ppb level is fully realized. Compared to SnO₂ nanowires, the sensing performance of the RGO/SnO₂ heterostructure-based sensor is greatly enhanced, which can be ascribed to the RGO and the heterostructure. The RGO/SnO₂ composite engineering poses an easy way to make full use of the advantages originating from RGO and heterostructure. Full article

1,5-Anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) is a sensitive biomarker for real-time detection of diabetes mellitus. In this study, an electrochemical biosensor to specifically detect 1,5-AG levels based on persimmon-tannin-reduced graphene oxide-PtPd nanocomposites (PT-rGO-PtPd NCs), which were modified onto the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE), was designed. The PT-rGO-PtPd NCs were prepared by using PT as the film-forming material and ascorbic acid as the reducing agent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy analysis were used to characterise the newly synthesised materials. PT-rGO-PtPd NCs present a synergistic effect not only to increase the active surface area to bio-capture more targets, but also to exhibit electrocatalytic efficiency to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). A sensitive layer is formed by pyranose oxidase (PROD) attached to the surface of PT-rGO-PtPd NC/SPCE. In the presence of 1,5-AG, PROD catalyzes the oxidization of 1,5-AG to generate 1,5-anhydrofuctose (1,5-AF) and H₂O₂ which can be decomposed into H₂O under the synergistic catalysis of PT-rGO-PtPd NCs. The redox reaction between PT and its oxidative product (quinones, PTox) can be enhanced simultaneously by PT-rGO-PtPd NCs, and the current signal was recorded by the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. Under optimal conditions, our biosensor shows a wide range (0.1–2.0 mg/mL) for 1,5-AG detection with a detection limit of 30 μg/mL (S/N = 3). Moreover, our electrochemical biosensor exhibits acceptable applicability with recoveries from 99.80 to 106.80%. In summary, our study provides an electrochemical method for the determination of 1,5-AG with simple procedures, lower costs, good reproducibility, and acceptable stability. Full article

In this experimental investigation, a procreation approach was used to produce a catalyst based on SnO₂@rGO nanocomposite for use in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. Plastic waste oil is one such alternative that helps to ensure the survival of fossil fuels and also lessens the negative impacts of improper waste disposal. The SnO₂@rGO nanocomposite was prepared by fine dispersion of SnO₂ nanoparticles on monolayer-dispersed reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and carefully investigated for its potential in adsorbing CO, CO₂, NO_X, and hydrocarbon (HC). The as-synthesized SnO₂@rGO nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and surface area analyses. Then, the impact of catalysts inside the exhaust engine system was evaluated in a realistic setting with a single-cylinder, direct-injection diesel engine. As a result, the catalysts reduced harmful pollution emissions while marginally increasing brake-specific fuel consumption. The nanocomposite was shown to exhibit higher NO_X adsorption efficiencies when working with different toxic gases. Maximum reductions in the emission of NO_X, hydrocarbons, and CO were achieved at a rate of 78%, 62%, and 15%, respectively. These harmful pollutants were adsorbed on the active sites of catalyst and are converted to useful fuel gases through catalytic reduction thereby hindering the trajectory of global warming. Full article

Herein, we have reported on a simple, environmentally friendly, and ultra-sensitive electrode material, SnO₂@p-rGO, used in a clean sustainable manner for rapid electrochemical determination of an anti-diabetic agent, repaglinide (RPG). Three-dimensional porous reduced graphene oxide nanostructure (p-rGO) was prepared via a low-temperature solution combustion method employing glycine. The aqueous extract of agricultural waste “cotton boll peel” served as stabilizing and reducing agents for the synthesis of SnO₂ nanoparticles. The structural and morphological characterization was carried out by XRD, Raman, SEM, EDX, FTIR, absorption, and TGA. The oxidation process of RPG was realized under adsorption controlled with the involvement of two protons and electrons. The sensor displayed a wider linearity between the concentration of RPG and oxidation peak current in the ranges of 1.99 × 10⁻⁸–1.45 × 10⁻⁵ M and 4.99 × 10⁻⁸–1.83 × 10⁻⁵ M for square-wave voltammetric and differential pulse voltammetric methods, respectively. The lower limit of detection value of 0.85 × 10⁻⁹ M was realized with the SWV method. The proposed sensor was applied for the quantification of RPG in fortified urine samples and pharmaceutical formulations. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated reproducibility, long-term stability, and selectivity in the presence of metformin and other interferents, which made the proposed sensor promising and superior for monitoring RPG. Full article

Interfacial polarization is generally a major cause of dielectric loss, but its exact contribution to the electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption capacity of absorbers remains to be elucidated. In this work, SnO₂@rGO composite (S2) with tight interfaces formed by chemical bonds and SnO₂/rGO mixture (S3) were synthesized by a simple chemical route followed by further calcined in argon, respectively. Compared with pure SnO₂ (S1) and S3, S2 exhibits much better EMW-dissipation ability, with a smaller minimum reflection loss (RL_min) value of −20.5 dB at a matched thickness of 5 mm and a larger effective absorption bandwidth (f_e) value of 5.8 GHz (from 11 GHz to 16.8 GHz) at 3.2 mm. By comprehensively comparing the defects, dipoles, and interfaces in S2 and S3, it is concluded that the excellent EMW absorption capacity of S2 is mainly caused by strong dielectric loss dominated by interfacial polarization as well as suitable impedance matching. This study provides an insight into the exact contribution of interfacial polarization to the EMW-dissipation ability of absorbers, showing that the EMW absorption of graphene-based composites can be effectively promoted by constructing well-connected interfaces between graphene and absorbers. Full article

To enhance the conductivity and volume expansion during the charging and discharging of transition metal oxide anode materials, rGO-SnO₂-Fe₂O₃ composite materials with different contents of rGO were prepared by the in situ hydrothermal synthesis method. The SEM morphology revealed a sphere-like fluffy structure, particles of the 0.4%rGO-10%SnO₂-Fe₂O₃ composite were smaller and more compact with a specific surface area of 223.19 m²/g, the first discharge capacity of 1423.75 mAh/g, and the specific capacity could be maintained at 687.60 mAh/g even after 100 cycles. It exhibited a good ratio performance and electrochemical reversibility, smaller charge transfer resistance, and contact resistance, which aided in lithium-ion transport. Its superior electrochemical performance was due to the addition of graphene, which made the spherical particle size distribution more uniform, effectively lowering the volume expansion during the process of charging and discharging and improving the electrochemical cycle stability of the anode materials. Full article