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Facile preparation of highly uniform and stable AuNPs/rGO-PEDOT:PSS hybrid film for electrochemical detection of pharmaceutical residue in water

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Abstract

In this work, a uniform hybrid film based on reduced graphene oxide, PEDOT:PSS polymer, and gold nanostructures were developed for electrochemical detection of acetaminophen—a common pharmaceutical pollutant in water environment. The electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide suspension containing hydrophilic PEDOT:PSS results in a highly uniform and compact matrix which is firmly adhered to electrode surface. Gold nanoparticles were then decorated distinctly at high density on top of that matrix to provide electro-catalytic centers for further oxidation of targeted molecules. The results on morphological characterization using scanning electron microscopy and chemical compositions in energy-dispersive X-ray spectra have demonstrated the uniformity of developed hybrid structures. It was found that the electron transfer rate was much enhanced (apparent transfer rate constant kapp was increased by 2640 times) on highly uniform AuNPs/rGO-PEDOT:PSS hybrid film. The as-prepared hybrid film was employed as transducing platform for electrochemical detection of acetaminophen at low concentrations (1–9 μM), and the detection limit was found to be as low as 532 nM. The generation of highly uniform hybrid film decorated with monodispersed metallic centers on top is essential to ensure high sensitivity in electrochemical sensing performances.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their sincere thanks to Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST 07.05/21-22, QTCZ 01.02/20-21) and University of Science and Technology (USTH.AMSN.01/21-23) for providing financial support. Also, we would like to express our thanks to Dr. Anna Tycova from Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences (Brno, Czech Republic) for her kind support in manuscript preparation. Especially, we are very grateful for kind support on Raman measurements done by Dr. Nguyen Manh Nghia at Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAS), Hanoi, Vietnam.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE), 134 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Vu Cam Nhung & Pham Do Chung

  2. Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Graduate University of Science and Technology (GUST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Ngoc Tien

  3. Military Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (MICEE), Hoai Duc, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Ngoc Tien

  4. Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, F-75006, Paris, France

    Dau Thi Ngoc Nga

  5. Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Thi Thanh Ngan, Vu Cam Tu & Vu Thi Thu

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  1. Vu Cam Nhung
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Highlights

• Facile approach to prepare AuNPs/rGO-PEDOT:PSS hybrid film in aqueous conditions

• AuNPs (70 nm) were decorated distinctly at high density on top of thin and compact rGO-PEDOT:PSS composite film.

• Enhanced charge transfer rate (2640 times) on highly uniform AuNPs/rGOPEDOT: PSS hybrid film.

• Acetaminophen electrochemical sensor based on AuNPs/rGO-PEDOT:PSS exhibits good sensing performance with detection limit of 532 nM.

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Nhung, V.C., Tien, N.N., Nga, D.T.N. et al. Facile preparation of highly uniform and stable AuNPs/rGO-PEDOT:PSS hybrid film for electrochemical detection of pharmaceutical residue in water. J Nanopart Res 24, 34 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-022-05416-4

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