Selenium and phosphide-doped hollow porous N-doped carbon nanobox-based electrospun N-doped carbon nanofibers toward electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

A new strategy for doping selenium and phosphide in hollow N-doped carbon nanobox (N-CNB)-based porous electrospun N-doped carbon nanofibers (CNFs) was developed. First, lightweight N-CNBs were produced. Then, a hybrid of N-CNBs and CNFs (CNBs/CNFs) was prepared using electrospinning/carbonization techniques. Eventually, P and Se atoms were doped into CNBs/CNFs using a thermal treatment approach to prepare Se/P@CNBs/CNFs. The electrocatalytic capability of the Se/P@CNBs/CNFs composite toward H₂O₂ oxidation was investigated for H₂O₂ sensing, which showed performance in a linear range from 200 μM to 1800 μM with a high sensitivity of 171 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² and a limit of detection (LOD) of 58 μM (S/N = 3). In addition, the ability of Se/P@CNBs/CNFs toward H₂O₂ sensing in human serum was studied. These results indicated the excellent electrocatalytic performance of the as-prepared Se/P@CNBs/CNFs, which could be related to the unique hollow CNBs/CNFs doped with P and Se elements with a mesoporous structure, the open channels for effective H₂O₂ diffusion, fast mass/electron transport, and synergistic effect between the P and Se and CNBs/CNFs.