TITLE:
Malus domestica and Solanum lycopersicum Mixtures for the Synthesis of Graphene Silver and Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites
AUTHORS:
Rachel Fanelwa Ajayi, Siphokazi Tshoko, Candice Franke, Nokwanda Ngema, Veli Thipe, Takalani Mulaudzi
KEYWORDS:
Zinc Oxide, Electrochemical Sensors, Silver Nanoparticles, Graphene Oxide, Nanocomposites, Malus domestica, Solanum lycopersicum, Electrochemistry
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Surface Engineered Materials and Advanced Technology,
Vol.12 No.4,
October
31,
2022
ABSTRACT: This study reports on the novel and simple green method involving the use of apple (Malus domestica) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) extracts in the synthesis of electroactive layers of silver nanoparticles|graphene oxide (AgNPs|GO) and zinc oxide nanoparticles|graphene oxide (ZnONPs|GO). The surface morphology of the green synthesized nanocomposites was studied using High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM) while the elemental analysis was studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and their optical properties were further characterised using Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV-vis). The electrochemical studies of these nanocomposites were achieved using cyclic voltammetry (CV) where an increase in electron conductivity of the AgNPs|GO and ZnONPs|GO nanocomposite was observed. Comparatively, the silver nanoparticulate-based platforms were observed to have superior electrochemical properties as opposed to the zinc oxide-based platform. The observed electrochemical activities of the synthesized nanocomposites are a good indication of their suitability as electroactive platforms towards the development of electrochemical sensors. Electrochemical sensors are popular in the Electrochemistry field because they may be developed using different methods in order to suit their intended analytes. As such, the synthesis of a variety of electrochemical platforms provides researchers with a vast range of options to select from for the detection of analytes.