Development of SnO2@rGO Hybrid Nanocomposites through Complexometric Approach for Multi-Dimensional Electrochemical Application

Abstract

Herein, we report a time-efficient one pot preparation of SnO2 and its composite with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using Imidazole based organic precursor followed by calcination. Various physicochemical analyses (viz. FT-IR, XRD, XPS etc.) confirmed the successful formation of SnO2 immobilized @rGO nanocomposite. Improved surface microstructural evolution with a uniform decoration of SnO2 over rGO (in composite) was observed via SEM, EDAX analysis. The enhanced surface area of SnO2@rGO nanocomposite material from 120 m2 g−1 of pure SnO2 to 145 m2 g−1 after incorporation with rGO provides a shorter diffusion path for electrolyte and better charge transfer property. Electrochemical measurements via cyclic voltammetry (CV) revealed tremendous increase (∼344%) in specific capacitance of SnO2 from 32.80 F g−1 to 112.87 F g−1 in composite with rGO. These observations were well complemented by EIS analysis with improved charge transfer property of SnO2@rGO nanocomposite. Furthermore, amperometric curve (i-t) showed that SnO2@rGO nanocomposite material exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards non-enzymatic glucose sensor with a low detection limit of 6.4 nM, a wide linear range of 20 μM–380 μM (R2 = 0.908) and high sensitivity (0.2127 μA mM−1 cm−2), respectively.