High-performance Cu nanoparticles/three-dimensional graphene/Ni foam hybrid for catalytic and sensing applications

A novel hybrid of Cu nanoparticles/three-dimensional graphene/Ni foam (Cu NPs/3DGr/NiF) was prepared by chemical vapor deposition, followed by a galvanic displacement reaction in Ni- and Cu-ion-containing salt solution through a one-step reaction. The as-prepared Cu NPs/3DGr/NiF hybrid is uniform, stable, recyclable and exhibits an extraordinarily high catalytic efficiency for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with a reduction rate constant K = 0.056 15 s^-1, required time ∼30 s and excellent sensing properties for the non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with a linear range ∼50 μM-9.65 mM, response time ∼3 s, detection limit ∼1 μM. The results indicate that the as-prepared Cu NPs/3DGr/NiF hybrid can be used to replace expensive noble metals in catalysis and sensing applications.