Highly stable silver-platinum core-shell nanowires for H₂O₂ detection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Silver nanowire (Ag NW) networks offer promising alternatives to transparent conducting oxides due to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
• Challenges remain in Ag NW utilization, primarily due to performance degradation from oxidation and sulfidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a solution-based method for enhancing the stability of Ag NWs.
• To investigate the impact of a platinum (Pt) shell on the chemical, environmental, and electrochemical properties of Ag NWs.

Main Methods:

• A thin platinum (Pt) shell (15 nm) was deposited onto Ag NWs using a solution-based approach.
• Core-shell Ag NW networks were subjected to various humidity and temperature conditions to assess environmental and thermal stability.
• Electrochemical stability was evaluated, and the performance of Ag-Pt core-shell NWs in hydrogen peroxide detection was tested.

Main Results:

• Pt-coated Ag NWs exhibited significantly improved environmental and thermal stability compared to bare Ag NWs.
• The electrochemical potential window for Ag NW networks was broadened from 0-0.6 V to 0-1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) after Pt deposition.
• Ag-Pt core-shell NWs demonstrated high sensitivity (0.04 μA μM⁻¹) for hydrogen peroxide detection with a low detection limit (10.95 μM).

Conclusions:

• The Pt shell effectively enhances the chemical, environmental, and electrochemical stability of Ag NW networks.
• This simple and effective strategy paves the way for the large-scale application of Ag NWs in electrochemical and sensing devices.
• The improved stability and sensing capabilities of Ag-Pt core-shell NWs highlight their potential for advanced technological applications.