Hydrothermal synthesis of In₂O₃-GO nanocomposites for electrochemical applications

In recent decades, there has been an increasing interest in developing detection systems at the smallest scale and as easy to use as possible for a wide range of applications, including the food and environmental sectors, but especially for medical diagnostics. Advances in analytical electrochemistry research facilitate expanding the application range, improving repeatability, lowering detection limits, and simplifying the target analyte detection process by leveraging nanotechnology to produce sensors. In this work, we developed a synthesis method without additives for developing hybrid nanostructures obtained by embedding In2O3 nanoparticles in graphene oxide (GO) sheets for electrochemical applications. Using GO obtained by the Hummer method and indium nitrate as a precursor, In2O3-GO nanocomposites were obtained by an in-situ hydrothermal method. The samples' shape, size, structural phase purity, functional groups, and wetting capability were assessed using a range of analytical techniques. The structural characteristics of the oxide, carbon material, and composite were examined by spectroscopic analysis. The surface morphology, particle size, and distribution of In2O3 nanoparticles in the carbon material were examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope. The wetting and percolation threshold of the nanocomposite were observed through goniometric experiments. Cyclic voltammetry was used to evaluate the application potential of In2O3-GO nanocomposites.

Acknowledgements:

This work was supported by the Core Program within the National Research Development and Innovation Plan 2022-2027, carried out with the support of MCID, project no. 2307 (µNanoEl).