One-pot synthesis of functional two-dimensional graphene/SnO2 composite nanosheets as a building block for self-assembly and an enhancing nanomaterial for biosensing

A one-step approach to synthesize functional two-dimensional graphene/SnO2 composite nanosheets (GSCN) is reported. It should be noted that SnCl2 is not only a reducing agent for graphene oxide (GO), but also a precursor of SnO2. On the other hand, polyelectrolyte poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) was introduced simultaneously in the preparation, to endow it with an ideal self-assembly building block. Through electrostatic interaction, a general method has been developed for the preparation of ternary GSCN/nanoparticles (GSCN/NPs) hybrid structures with high-density noble metal NPs. Prominent examples including Au, Pt and Au@Pt hybrid NPs could be loaded on the surface of GSCN. Furthermore, we employed high-density Au@Pt NPs supported on GSCN as the electrochemical material for nonenzymatic glucose detection, which exhibited good electrocatalytic activity.