1D Zn₂GeO₄ rods supported on Ni foam for high performance non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor

One-dimensional (1D) Zn2GeO4 rods were in-situ grown on Ni foam (NF) using a ethylenediamine (En)/water mixed solvent by a hydrothermal route in one single step. Such rhombohedral phase Zn2GeO4 rods are 1-2 mu m in diameter and a few micrometers in length. Ethylenediamine is found to play a critical role in coordinating with starting zinc and germanium ions and acting as template. The Zn2GeO4/NF was developed as a new noneenzymatic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensor. In electrochemical studies, the Zn2GeO4/NF electrode exhibits high sensitivity (3974 mu M mM(-1) cm (-2)), wide linear detection range (1-4000 mu M), fast response (<9 s), low detection limit (1 mu M), excellent selectivity and stability towards H2O2. Several factors such as intrinsic nature of Zn2GeO4, the unique microstructure and the seamless contact with NF are believed to attributed to the excellent electrochemical sensing performances.