A comparative study of different types of reduced graphene oxides as electrochemical sensing platforms for hydroquinone and catechol

We compared the electrochemical performance of various reduced graphene oxides (RGOs), including chemically reduced graphene oxide (CRGO), thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO), and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) under different reduction potentials, using aromatic species of hydroquinone and catechol as analytes. Strong adsorption of analytes on RGOs surface is found due to pi-pi interaction between RGOs and aromatic species. Analytical parameters of electron transfer rate, detection sensitivity, and linear response range were considered. CRGO showed the fastest heterogeneous electron transfer rate and the most wide linear range but among the poorest detection sensitivity. The different restoration extent of graphitic network, such as ERGO prepared under different reduction potentials, will also affect the sensing performance. These results will enhance our understanding of the applicability of RGOs in biosensing.