Electrocatalytic Applications of Graphene–Metal Oxide Nanohybrid Materials

Abstract

Development of state-of-the-art electrocatalysts using commercially available precursors with low cost is an essential step in the advancement of next-generation electrochemical energy storage/conversion systems. In this regard, noble metal-free and graphene-supported nanocomposites are of particular interest. Graphene-based nanocomposite is an excellent candidate as energy-device and sensor-related electrode materials, largely due to their high electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, high-speed electron/heat mobility, and reasonably good mechanical strength. Among many types of graphenebased composite materials, graphene-metal oxide nanohybrids hold great promise toward engineering efficient electrocatalysts and have attracted increasing interest in both scientific communities and industrial partners around the world. The goal of this chapter is primarily set on an overview of cutting-edge developments in graphene-metal oxide nanohybrid materials, with the recently reported results from worldwide research groups. This chapter is presented first with an introduction, followed by synthetic methods and structural characterization of nanocomposites, an emphasis on their applications in energy and sensor-related fields, and finally completed with brief conclusions and outlook.

One-Pot Facile Methodology to Synthesize Chitosan-ZnO-Graphene Oxide Hybrid Composites for Better Dye Adsorption and Antibacterial Activity

“…In addition, there were two characteristic bands centered at 1651 and 1571 cm −1 corresponding to the C=O stretching vibration of –NHCO– and the N–H bending of –NH 2 , respectively [ 47 ]. Transmittance peaks were observed at 1641 and 1411 cm −1 corresponding to the C=C vibration and O–H bending, respectively [ 48 , 49 ]. The intense peak occurring at 1107 cm −1 is due to C–O–C stretching with a shoulder peak of anti-symmetric stretching of the (C–O–C) bridge at 1195 cm −1 [ 47 ].…”

Iron-Based Nanomaterials/Graphene Composites for Advanced Electrochemical Sensors

“…Additionally, synergistic effects of graphene sheets and IONs components provide nanocomposite with novel physicochemical properties and consequently enhance electrochemical performance. As a result, graphene-IONs nanocomposites have been considered as one of the most promising hybrid materials that can boost the development of more efficient electrochemical sensors [ 63 ]. This part is divided into six sections, where each section is related to a single analyte or a group of analytes determined by the graphene-IONs nanocomposites sensors.…”

Synergetic Effects of Combined Nanomaterials for Biosensing Applications

“…Obtained after mechanic exfoliation [ 87 , 88 ], chemical oxidation of graphite [ 89 ] and/or subsequent reduction [ 90 ], these carbon materials are represented in many biosensor application examples [ 91 ] such as electrochemical immunosensors [ 92 ] or enzymatic biosensors [ 93 ]. In terms of synergetic hybrid materials, and similar to CNT hybrids, many different metal nanoparticles like gold [ 94 ], platinum [ 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 ], or palladium [ 100 ], or metal oxide nanoparticles [ 101 ] clearly improved the sensing performance when combined with graphene and graphene-like 2D materials.…”