Ag-Ti3C2Tx MXenes nanoribbons coupled with carbon nanotubes: Preparation, characterization and application for highly sensitive ratiometric voltammetric sensing of paracetamol

In this work, based on the unique self-adsorption and reduction capacities of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXenes toward silver ion, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as reference probe are synthesized and immobilized on the surface of Ti 3 C 2 T x nanoribbons (Ti 3 C 2 T x R) to form Ag-Ti 3 C 2 T x R nanohybrid with a simple stirring-method, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are introduced to conjugate Ag-Ti 3 C 2 T x R for inhibiting their aggregation and improving further the sensing performance. Via selecting paracetamol (PA) as a model analyte, a ratiometric voltammetric sensing strategy is proposed by using Ag-Ti 3 C 2 T x R/CNTs as electrode materials on the basic of the collaborative advantages of Ag NPs, Ti 3 C 2 T x R and CNTs: in the absence of PA, Ag-Ti 3 C 2 T x R/CNTs modified electrode displays only an electrochemical signal from the oxidation of Ag 0 ; while in the presence of PA, a varied signal of PA along with its concentration can be observed coupled with a quite stable oxidation signal of Ag 0 . Based on this principle, a highly sensitive and reliable ratiometric sensing platform is designed for PA detection by recording the ratio of signals between PA and Ag 0 . It’s expected that this work exploits a new research field in electrochemical sensors by combining the synthetic advantages of MXenes and metal elements.