An innovative approach utilizing bimetallic Ag@Sn-oxy nanocomposite with rGO-decorated glassy carbon-modified electrode for high-performance detection of hydroquinone

Herein, the electrochemical technique was employed to detect hydroquinone (HQ) using a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and silver (Ag)-decorated tin oxy-nanoparticles (SnONPs) to form Ag@SnONPs/rGO nanocomposites (NC). The Ag@SnONPs/rGO nanocomposites were morphologically characterized using multiple analytical methods such as XRD, Raman, XPS, HR-SEM, and HR-TEM. This study revealed that Ag@SnONPs/rGO-NC exhibits excellent conductivity due to the presence of rGO that provides potential π–π interactions with SnONPs, while Ag enhances electron-transfer kinetics. This facilitates efficient charge transport within the sensor, thereby improving HQ adsorption. The key advantages of the sensor demonstrate a concentration of 0.5–200 µM, and a low detection limit value of 0.010 µM, and a high sensitivity value of 6.0746 µA µM⁻¹ cm². Under optimal conditions, the Ag@SnONPs/rGO sensor may be used to determine HQ and its concentration using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The Ag@SnONPs-rGO/GCE sensor demonstrated excellent reproducibility, repeatability, and stability. Moreover, the suggested bimetallic nanocomposite effectively determined the presence of HQ in water and cosmetic samples.