One-step synthesis of Ag nanoparticles decorated graphene for application in electrochemical detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions

Here, the Ag nanoparticles decorated graphene (AgNP@GNs) were fabricated by combing liquid phase exfoliation with in-situ solvent reduction method. Furthermore, the electrochemical sensitivity toward Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ ions was also investigated in detail. This AgNP@GNs presented the excellent electrical properties (2.5×10 4 S/m), meanwhile showed high electrochemical detection ability toward Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ . The sensitivity of AgNP@GNs toward Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ was ca. 15.2μA/μM (or 1246.4μA/μg L -1 ) and 0.09μA/μM (4.32μA/μg L -1 ), respectively. The AgNP@GNs was also evaluated to electrochemical detection of Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ in real water, in which the recoveries (96~124%) were obtained. The work does not only provide a facile method to synthesize AgNP@GNs with good dispersion, but also showed good electrical properties for various applications.