Non-covalent functionalization of CVD-grown graphene with Au nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing application

Graphene is an one-atom thick two-dimensional (2D) transparent carbon sheet which has aroused potential interest for the ultrafast high-sensitive electronic device application. Functionalization of 2D graphene is one of the important aspects to manipulate its intrinsic properties achieving the requisite aptness for its booming applications. Here, a novel strategy for the noncovalent surface functionalization of 2D graphene layer has been proposed utilizing self-assemble monolayers (SAM) of 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol (BDMT) that can further anchor gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the graphene surface. Raman spectroscopy and contact angle measurements confirm the SAM modification on graphene surface. AFM and XPS verify the anchoring of AuNPs on the graphene surface. Furthermore, the AuNPs-anchored BDMT-modified graphene (AuNPs/BDMT/G) electrode is explored for highly sensitive electrochemical detection of H2O2, exhibiting an impressive detection limit of 1.8 μM (signal-to-noise ratio of 3).