Facile hydrothermal growth graphene/ZnO nanocomposite for development of enhanced biosensor

Sze Shin Low, Michelle T.T. Tan, Hwei San Loh, Poi Sim Khiew, Wee Siong Chiu

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite was synthesised via a facile, green and efficient approach consisted of novel liquid phase exfoliation and solvothermal growth for sensing application. Highly pristine graphene was synthesised through mild sonication treatment of graphite in a mixture of ethanol and water at an optimum ratio. The X-ray diffractometry (XRD) affirmed the hydrothermal growth of pure zinc oxide nanoparticles from zinc nitrate hexahydrate precursor. The as-prepared graphene/zinc oxide (G/ZnO) nanocomposite was characterised comprehensively to evaluate its morphology, crystallinity, composition and purity. All results clearly indicate that zinc oxide particles were homogenously distributed on graphene sheets, without any severe aggregation. The electrochemical performance of graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry analysis. The resulting electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a linear range of 1-15 mM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9977. The sensitivity of the graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite-modified hydrogen peroxide sensor was 3.2580 μAmM-1 with a limit of detection of 7.4357 μM. An electrochemical DNA sensor platform was then fabricated for the detection of Avian Influenza H5 gene based on graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite. The results obtained from amperometry study indicate that the graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite-enhanced electrochemical DNA biosensor is significantly more sensitive (P < 0.05) and efficient than the conventional agarose gel electrophoresis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)131-141
Number of pages11
JournalAnalytica Chimica Acta
Volume903
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jan 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Avian influenza virus H5N1
  • Electrochemical DNA biosensor
  • Graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite
  • Green approach
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Screen printed carbon electrode

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Facile hydrothermal growth graphene/ZnO nanocomposite for development of enhanced biosensor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this