Layer-by-layer self-assembled hybrid multilayer films based on poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) stabilized graphene with polyaniline and their electrochemical sensing properties

A new class of graphene/polyaniline multilayer film was constructed by layer-by-layer self-assembly, using poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) stabilized graphene sheets (PSS-GS) and polyaniline (PANI) as building blocks. Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) was used not only to stabilize the graphene sheets, but also facilitate the growth of the PSS-GS/PANI multilayer films via electrostatic interactions between PSS-GS and PANI. Furthermore, PSS can also act as a dopant for PANI during redox reactions. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results demonstrate the successful fabrication of the PSS-GS/PANI hybrid multilayer films. Electrochemical experiments show that PSS-GS inside the multilayer film can dope PANI effectively and the multilayer film still presents a redox activity at neutral pH. In addition, the obtained nanostructured PSS-GS/PANI multilayer film is very stable and shows high electrocatalytic ability toward H2O2, which makes it an ideal substrate for H2O2 detection and offers great promise for sensing.