Hollow Ag@Au-Rh core-frame nanocubes for electrochemical sensing and catalytic degradation of environmental pollutants

Abstract Background Trimetallic hollow core-frame nanocrystals with open structures and defects have potential applications in electrochemical sensing and catalytic reaction. Methods Herein, we synthesized trimetallic Ag@Au-Rh hollow core-frame nanocubes via selective growth of Au and Rh atoms on high energy facets of Ag nanocubes. Then, voltammetric detection of dopamine and catalytic degradation of organic dye were investigated. Significant Findings It was found that Ag@Au-Rh hollow core-frame NCs-based electrochemical sensor can measure DA in phosphate buffer solution (0.16–200 μM) with a logical limit of detection (LOD) of 0.43 µM. Moreover, Ag@Au-Rh hollow core-frame NCs showed extraordinarily higher catalytic activity towards the degradation of organic dyes than the bimetallic Ag@Au core-frame nanocubes. The superior electrochemical catalytic selectivity and sensitivity might be due to their high mass activity, unsaturated coordinated sites of the frame nanostructures, and the synergistic electronic effect of their trimetallic composition. These results demonstrate that the trimetallic hollow core-frame nanocrystals, such as Ag@Au-Rh, could be used for sensitive sensors and ultrafast environmental remediation.