Electrochemical performance of TiO2/Au/carbon nanotubes composite interface for hydroquinone detection

A novel nanocomposite was prepared by direct mixing of titania nanoparticles (nano-TiO₂) and gold nanoparticles (nano-Au)-modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a solution of chitosan. The electrochemical performance of a TiO₂/Au/CNT nanocomposite-modified electrode for hydroquinone detection was investigated. When measured at a scan rate of 50 mV s^-1, the detected amount of hydroquinone at the TiO₂/Au/CNT electrode varied linearly with hydroquinone concentration, for concentrations from 1 × 10^-6 to 1 × 10^-8 M; the sensitivity was 997 617 μA(mol l^-1)^-1, and the detection limit was 1 × 10^-10 M (S/N = 3). In all experiments, TiO₂/Au/CNT nanocomposites exhibited better electrochemical performance than TiO₂/CNT composites or CNTs. Enhanced current response can be attributed to the synergic effect of nano-TiO₂, nano-Au and CNTs.