A facile route to the synthesis copper oxide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites and electrochemical detection of catechol organic pollutant

A simple and efficient approach of preparing copper oxide/reduced graphene oxide (CuO/rGO) nanocomposite has been demonstrated. CuO/rGO nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a one-step redox reaction between graphene oxide (GO) sheets and cuprous ions in CuCl without extra reducing agent. Notably, the reduction of GO and the deposition of CuO on the rGO sheets occurred simultaneously during the reaction process, resulting in a uniform and tight distribution of CuO nanoparticles on the reduced GO sheets. Furthermore, the as-prepared CuO/rGO composite (CuCl = 0.02 g) had a large BET surface area (235 m(2) g(-1)) and a porous structure with macropores and mesopores. The as-prepared nanocomposite was exploited in the catalytic oxidation of catechol in aqueous media. The results indicated that the as-prepared copper oxide/rGO nanocomposite exhibited a higher electrocatalytic activity towards catechol oxidation than original CuO nanoparticles or reduced graphene oxide samples. This strategy opens a new facile and simple chemical route to synthesize copper oxide/rGO nanocomposites with excellent properties.