Electrochemistry at chemically modified graphenes

Electrochemical applications of graphene are of great interest to many researchers as they can potentially lead to crucial technological advancements in fabrication of electrochemical devices for energy production and storage, and highly sensitive sensors. There are many routes towards fabrication of bulk quantities of chemically modified graphenes (CMG) for applications such as electrode materials. Each of them yields different graphene materials with different functionalities and structural defects. Here, we compare the electrochemical properties of five different chemically modified graphenes: graphite oxide, graphene oxide, thermally reduced graphene oxide, chemically reduced graphene oxide, and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide. We characterized these materials using transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, which allowed us to correlate the electrochemical properties with the structural and chemical features of the CMGs. We found that thermally reduced graphene oxide offers the most favorable electrochemical performance among the different materials studied. Our findings have a profound impact for the applications of chemically modified graphenes in electrochemical devices.     

On Oxygen‐Containing Groups in Chemically Modified Graphenes

Reduced graphenes (belonging to the class of chemically modified graphenes, CMG) are one of the most investigated and utilized materials in current research. Oxygen functionalities on the CMG surfaces have dramatic influences on material properties. Interestingly, these functionalities are rarely comprehensively characterized. Herein, the four most commonly used CMGs, mainly electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ER‐GO), thermally reduced graphene oxide (TR‐GO), and the corresponding starting materials, that is, graphene oxide and graphite oxide, were comprehensively characterized by a wide variety of methods, such as high‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and voltammetry, to establish connections between the structures of these materials that carry different oxygen functionalities and their electrochemical behaviors. This was followed by the quantification of the negatively charged oxygen‐containing groups (OCGs) by UV/Vis spectroscopy and of the electrochemically reducible OCGs by voltammetry. Lastly, a biofunctionalization with gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐modified DNA sequences was performed by the formation of covalent bonds with the carboxylic groups (? COOH) on the CMG surfaces. There was an evident predominance of functionalizable ? COOH groups on the ER‐GO surface, as confirmed by a higher amount of Au detected both with differential‐pulse voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy, coupled with visualization by TEM. We exploited the DNA–Au bioconjugates as highly specific stains to localize and visualize the positions of carboxylic groups. Our findings are very important to clearly identify the presence, nature, and distribution of oxygen functionalities on different chemically modified graphenes.     

On oxygen-containing groups in chemically modified graphenes

Reduced graphenes (belonging to the class of chemically modified graphenes, CMG) are one of the most investigated and utilized materials in current research. Oxygen functionalities on the CMG surfaces have dramatic influences on material properties. Interestingly, these functionalities are rarely comprehensively characterized. Herein, the four most commonly used CMGs, mainly electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ER-GO), thermally reduced graphene oxide (TR-GO), and the corresponding starting materials, that is, graphene oxide and graphite oxide, were comprehensively characterized by a wide variety of methods, such as high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and voltammetry, to establish connections between the structures of these materials that carry different oxygen functionalities and their electrochemical behaviors. This was followed by the quantification of the negatively charged oxygen-containing groups (OCGs) by UV/Vis spectroscopy and of the electrochemically reducible OCGs by voltammetry. Lastly, a biofunctionalization with gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-modified DNA sequences was performed by the formation of covalent bonds with the carboxylic groups (-COOH) on the CMG surfaces. There was an evident predominance of functionalizable -COOH groups on the ER-GO surface, as confirmed by a higher amount of Au detected both with differential-pulse voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy, coupled with visualization by TEM. We exploited the DNA-Au bioconjugates as highly specific stains to localize and visualize the positions of carboxylic groups. Our findings are very important to clearly identify the presence, nature, and distribution of oxygen functionalities on different chemically modified graphenes.     

Inherent Electrochemistry and Activation of Chemically Modified Graphenes for Electrochemical Applications

Graphene research is currently at the frontier of electrochemistry. Many different graphene‐based materials are employed by electrochemists as electrodes in sensing and in energy‐storage devices. Because the methods for their preparation are inherently different, graphene materials are expected to exhibit different electrochemical behaviors depending on the functionalities and density of defects present. Electrochemical treatment of these “chemically modified graphenes” (CMGs) represents an easy approach to alter surface functionalities and consequently tune the electrochemical performance. Herein, we report a preliminary electrochemical characterization of four common chemically modified graphenes, namely: graphene oxide, graphite oxide, chemically reduced graphene oxide, and thermally reduced graphene oxide. These CMGs were compared with graphite as a reference material. Cyclic voltammetry was used to ascertain the chemical functionalities present and to understand the potential ranges in which the materials were electroactive. Electrochemical treatment with either an oxidative or a reductive fixed potential were then carried out to activate these chemically modified graphenes. The effects of such electrochemical treatments on their electrocatalytic properties were then investigated by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of well‐known redox probes, such as [Fe(CN)₆]^4?/3?, Fe^3+/2+, [Ru(NH₃)₆]^2+/3+, and ascorbic acid. Thermally reduced graphene oxide exhibited the best electrochemical behavior amongst all of the CMGs, with the fastest rate of heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) and the lowest overpotentials. These findings will have far‐reaching consequences for the evaluation of different CMGs as electrode materials in electrochemical devices.     

Assembly and application advancement of organic‐functionalized graphene‐based materials: A review

Owing to the remarkable physicochemical properties such as hydrophobicity, conductivity, elasticity, and light weight, graphene‐based materials have emerged as one of the most appealing carbon allotropes in materials science and chemical engineering. Unfortunately, pristine graphene materials lack functional groups for further modification, severely hindering their practical applications. To render graphene materials with special characters for different applications, graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide has been functionalized with different organic agents and assembled together, via covalent binding and various noncovalent forces such as π–π interaction, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen bonding. In this review, we briefly discuss the state‐of‐the‐art synthetic strategies and properties of organic‐functionalized graphene‐based materials, and then, present the prospective applications of organic‐functionalized graphene‐based materials in sample preparation.     

Synthesis of boron and nitrogen co-doped graphene nano-platelets using a two-step solution process and catalytic properties for oxygen reduction reaction

Chemically modified graphenes (CMGs) show great promise for various applications owing to the feasibility of their low-cost mass production and good solution processability. Recently, hetero-atom-doped CMGs have been suggested as good candidate materials for electrochemical catalysts in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, we synthesized B, N co-doped graphene nano-platelets (BN-rG-O) using a two-step solution process with sequential reaction of graphene oxide with borane tetrahydrofuran and hydrazine monohydrate. In the ORR measured in a basic medium (0.1 M KOH), BN-rG-O exhibits an onset potential of 0.81 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), follows near four electron pathway, and shows excellent stability against methanol poisoning and during durability tests.     

Chemically-modified graphenes for oxidation of DNA bases: analytical parameters

We studied the electroanalytical performances of chemically-modified graphenes (CMGs) containing different defect densities and amounts of oxygen-containing groups, namely graphite oxide (GPO), graphene oxide (GO), thermally reduced graphene oxide (TR-GO) and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ER-GO) by comparing the sensitivity, selectivity, linearity and repeatability towards the oxidation of DNA bases. We have observed that for differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) detection of adenine and cytosine, all CMGs showed enhanced sensitivity to oxidation, while for guanine and thymine, ER-GO and TR-GO exhibited much improved sensitivity over bare glassy carbon (GC) as well as over GPO and GO. There is also significant selectivity enhancement when using GPO for adenine and TR-GO for thymine. Our results have uncovered that the differences in surface functionalities, structure and defects of various CMGs largely influence their electrochemical behaviour in detecting the oxidation of DNA bases. The findings in this report will provide a useful guide for the future development of label-free electrochemical devices for DNA analysis.     

Carbocatalysis: The State of “Metal‐Free” Catalysis

The rise in global demand for crucial chemical compounds has driven immense research in the fundamental science of catalysis. Graphene and its derivatives (chemically modified graphene, CMGs) have recently emerged as a new class of heterogeneous catalyst that promises economically viable and greener routes to these compounds. Although CMGs possess unique catalytic properties, the actual active sites are often points of discussion. Current minimal understanding on the possible effects of metallic impurities on the electrocatalytic performances of these CMGs calls forth the need to raise awareness on possible metallic impurities misrepresenting the actual chemical catalytic performances of the CMGs. This Minireview highlights the latest advances in the application of CMGs as catalysts, with an emphasis on the possible effects of metallic impurities on CMG catalysis.     

Two-dimensional nanocomposites based on chemically modified graphene

The multiple functional groups and unique two-dimensional (2D) morphology make chemically modified graphene (CMG) an ideal template for the construction of 2D nanocomposites with various organic/inorganic components. Additionally, the recovered electrical conductivity of CMG may provide a fast-electron-transport channel and can thus promote the application of the resultant nanocomposites in optoelectronic and electrochemical devices. This Concept article summarizes the different strategies for the bottom-up fabrication of CMG-based 2D nanocomposites with small organic molecules, polymers, and inorganic nanoparticles, which represent the new directions in the development of graphene-based materials.     

Graphene platforms for the detection of caffeine in real samples

The analysis of food components is of high importance due to food safety and security. Here the electrochemical detection of caffeine was performed on different chemically modified graphene (CMG) surfaces carrying diverse amount of defects and oxygen functionalities. The analytical performances of graphite oxide (GPO), graphene oxide (GO), and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) were compared for the first time for the detection of caffeine. It was found that ERGO showed the most favourable analytical parameters, such as lower oxidation potential, sensitivity, linearity and reproducibility of the response. ERGO was then used for the analysis of real samples. Caffeine levels of soluble coffee, teas and energetic drinks were measured without the need of any sample pre-treatment. Our findings are very important to gain more insight into the applicability of different graphene materials to real samples for sense-and-act analysis.     

功能化石墨烯材料：定义、分类及制备策略

自2004年被成功制备后,石墨烯因其独特迷人的性质在近十几年来备受关注,同时也引发了二维纳米材料的研究热潮。单原子层厚度的二维结构赋予石墨烯非同寻常的光学、电子学、磁学及力学等性质,使得石墨烯在生物学、医学、化学、物理学和环境科学等多个领域展现出极大的应用潜力。制得注意的是,石墨烯在应用时通常需要进行功能化,调节其组成、大小、形状和结构等,以便于加工处理或满足不同的应用需求。石墨烯功能化方法多样,功能化产物也是种类繁多。然而,到目前为止,石墨烯功能化产物并没有系统全面的分类和精确的定义。因此,本文在系统总结现有石墨烯功能化研究的基础上,给出了石墨烯功能化产物的系统分类、各类的精确定义和相应的制备策略,并通过典型示例进行了详细地阐述。石墨烯功能化的产物统称为“功能化石墨烯材料”,分为两类：“功能化石墨烯”和“功能化石墨烯复合材料”。功能化石墨烯材料的制备可由“自上而下”和“自下而上”两种策略实现。制备策略的选择取决于应用需求。系统分类、精确命名和制备策略的归纳必将有助于功能化石墨烯材料的进一步发展。     

Free‐Radical‐Promoted Conversion of Graphite Oxide into Chemically Modified Graphene

The preparation of chemically modified graphene (CMG) generally involves the reduction of graphite oxide (GO) by using various reducing reagents. Herein, we report a free‐radical‐promoted synthesis of CMG, which does not require any conventional reductant. We demonstrated that the phenyl free radical can efficiently promote the conversion of GO into CMG under mild conditions and produces phenyl‐functionalized CMG. This pseudo‐“reduction” process is attributed to a free‐radical‐mediated elimination of the surface‐attached oxygen‐containing functionalities. This work illustrates a new strategy for preparing CMG that is alternative to the conventional means of chemical reduction. Furthermore, the phenyl‐functionalized graphene shows an excellent performance as an electrode material for lithium‐battery applications.     

Developing Graphene‐Based Nanohybrids for Electrochemical Sensing

Graphene‐based nanohybrid is considered to be the most promising nanomaterial for electrochemical sensing applications due to the defects created on the graphene oxide layers. These defects provide graphene oxide unique properties, such as excellent conductivity, large specific surface area, and electrocatalytic activity. These unique properties encourage scientists to develop novel graphene‐based nanohybrids and improve the sensing efficiency. This review, therefore, addresses this topic by comprehensively discussing the strategies to fabricate novel graphene based nanohybrids with high sensitivity. The combinations of graphene with various nanomaterials, such as metal nanoclusters, metal compound nanoparticles, carbon materials, polymers and peptides, in the direction of electrochemical sensing, were systematically analyzed. Meanwhile, the challenges in the functional design and application of graphene‐based nanohybrids were described and the reasonable solutions were proposed.     

层状双金属氢氧化物/石墨烯复合材料及其在电化学能量存储与转换中的应用

高效的电化学能量存储与转换功能材料及其器件近年来受到了人们的广泛关注。层状双金属氢氧化物/石墨烯（LDH/G）复合物就是一类重要的能源材料。它们兼具LDH和石墨烯的优异的物理、化学性能,同时克服了LDH导电性差和石墨烯片易于团聚的问题;在超级电容器和电化学催化分解水等方面具有广泛应用。本文综述了LDH与化学修饰石墨烯（氧化石墨烯,还原氧化石墨烯及其衍生物）的有效复合的方法及其在电化学能量存储与转换领域中的应用,特别是关于基于该类材料的超级电容器及电化学析氧反应催化的研究;对LDH/G复合材料研究领域中的挑战和未来发展方向做了展望。     

超级电容器用石墨烯薄膜：制备、基元结构及表面调控

石墨烯薄膜是一种以石墨烯纳米片为基元结构的宏观体,通过合理的结构设计和表面修饰使其具有优异的电学、力学和热学性能,将在电化学储能、电子器件、健康和环保等领域具有潜在的应用。本文主要综述了从石墨烯基元调控到二维宏观膜组装以及石墨烯薄膜在超级电容器应用中的研究进展。主要介绍了石墨烯薄膜的简易制备方法,并详细介绍了通过对石墨烯基元的结构调控和表面修饰来优化石墨烯薄膜电化学性能的两大策略,最后对石墨烯薄膜应用所面临的挑战和未来的发展进行了总结与展望。     

石墨烯基材料在毛细管电泳中的应用进展

石墨烯基材料(石墨烯、氧化石墨烯、还原氧化石墨烯和石墨烯量子点)是一种新型的单层片状结构碳纳米材料,具有巨大的比表面积、良好的热稳定性和化学稳定性、较强的π-π电子共轭作用、疏水作用及氢键作用等,在分离科学领域展现了非常理想的应用前景。该文主要综述了石墨烯基材料近年来在毛细管电泳(CE)中的研究进展,包括作为背景电解质的添加剂、毛细管电色谱柱的固定相、CE-电化学检测电极的修饰材料和CE样品前处理的新型吸附剂材料等,并对其在CE领域未来的发展和应用进行了展望。     

Impact of graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNMs) on the structural and functional conformations of hepcidin peptide

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNMs) are widely used in various industrial and biomedical applications. GBNMs of different compositions, size and shapes are being introduced without thorough toxicity evaluation due to the unavailability of regulatory guidelines. Computational toxicity prediction methods are used by regulatory bodies to quickly assess health hazards caused by newer materials. Due to increasing demand of GBNMs in various size and functional groups in industrial and consumer based applications, rapid and reliable computational toxicity assessment methods are urgently needed. In the present work, we investigate the impact of graphene and graphene oxide nanomaterials on the structural conformations of small hepcidin peptide and compare the materials for their structural and conformational changes. Our molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed conformational changes in hepcidin due to its interaction with GBMNs, which results in a loss of its functional properties. Our results indicate that hepcidin peptide undergo severe structural deformations when superimposed on the graphene sheet in comparison to graphene oxide sheet. These observations suggest that graphene is more toxic than a graphene oxide nanosheet of similar area. Overall, this study indicates that computational methods based on structural deformation, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, can be used for the early evaluation of toxicity potential of novel nanomaterials.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Carbon‐Coated Nanostructured Iron Oxide on Few‐Layer Graphene for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Nanostructure engineering has been demonstrated to improve the electrochemical performance of iron oxide based electrodes in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, the synthesis of advanced functional materials often requires multiple steps. Herein, we present a facile one‐pot synthesis of carbon‐coated nanostructured iron oxide on few‐layer graphene through high‐pressure pyrolysis of ferrocene in the presence of pristine graphene. The ferrocene precursor supplies both iron and carbon to form the carbon‐coated iron oxide, while the graphene acts as a high‐surface‐area anchor to achieve small metal oxide nanoparticles. When evaluated as a negative‐electrode material for LIBs, our composite showed improved electrochemical performance compared to commercial iron oxide nanopowders, especially at fast charge/discharge rates.     

Self-assembly of 2D-electrolytes into heterostructured nanofibers

2D materials can be functionalised with various ionisable functional groups of different formal charges, forming the so-called 2D electrolytes. In this study, 2D electrolytes based on functionalised graphene oxide (GO) with cationic groups (-NH₃⁺) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) with anionic groups (-COO^-) were used to form heterostructures through a self-assembly process. Due to the presence of opposite charges, heterostructures were formed by the predominantly attractive forces between the 2D electrolytes in a fluidic aqueous environment. With the application of sonication, both 2D materials were able to overcome the energy barrier offered by their bending stiffness, continuously assembling and scrolling into heterostructured nanofibers. The nanofibers were the product of the conjugated 2D electrolytes, which led to their phase separation and precipitation into highly ordered and high aspect ratio 1D structures. As the reaction proceeds, long nanofiber bundles with branches were formed, resembling the structures formed by naturally occurring polyelectrolytes such as amino acids forming proteins. This method offers a facile approach for the continuous processing of heterostructured nanofibers with a low production cost under flow that can be widely applied in textiles, encapsulation technologies, and nanosensors.