K2Mn4O8/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Excellent Lithium Storage and Adsorption of Lead Ions

Ion diffusion efficiency at the solid–liquid interface is an important factor for energy storage and adsorption from aqueous solution. Although K₂Mn₄O₈ (KMO) exhibits efficient ion diffusion and ion‐exchange capacities, due to its high interlayer space of 0.70 nm, how to enhance its mass transfer performance is still an issue. Herein, novel layered KMO/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites are fabricated through the anchoring of KMO nanoplates on RGO with a mild solution process. The face‐to‐face structure facilitates fast transfer of lithium and lead ions; thus leading to excellent lithium storage and lead ion adsorption. The anchoring of KMO on RGO not only increases electrical conductivity of the layered nanocomposites, but also effectively prevents aggregation of KMO nanoplates. The KMO/RGO nanocomposite with an optimal RGO content exhibits a first cycle charge capacity of 739 mA h g^?1, which is much higher than that of KMO (326 mA h g^?1). After 100 charge–discharge cycles, it still retains a charge capacity of 664 mA h g^?1. For the adsorption of lead ions, the KMO/RGO nanocomposite exhibits a capacity of 341 mg g^?1, which is higher than those of KMO (305 mg g^?1) and RGO (63 mg g^?1) alone.     

Determination of Sudan I Using Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide

Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ER-GO) was prepared by reducing exfoliated graphene oxide sheets on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The voltammetric responses of Sudan I-IV were studied at the ER-GO modified GCE (ER-GO/GCE). Compared with chemically reduced graphene oxide (CR-GO) modified electrode (CR-GO/GCE), ER-GO/GCE showed higher voltammetric responses to Sudan I. The electrode had a linear response to Sudan I in the range of 0.04–8.0 µmol L^?1 and a detection limit of 0.01 µmol L^?1. The real sample determination indicated that the proposed method was reliable, effective, and sufficient.     

Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphene and Graphene Oxide for Energy Storage and Electrochemistry Applications

Top‐down methods are of key importance for large‐scale graphene and graphene oxide preparation. Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite has lately gained much interest because of the simplicity of execution, the short process time, and the good quality of graphene that can be obtained. Here, we test three different electrolytes, that is, H₂SO₄, Na₂SO₄, and LiClO₄, with a common exfoliation procedure to evaluate the difference in structural and chemical properties that result for the graphene. The properties are analyzed by means of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We then tested the graphene materials for electrochemical applications, measuring the heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) rates with a Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? redox probe, and their capacitive behavior in alkaline solutions. We correlate the electrochemical features with the presence of structural defects and oxygen functionalities on the graphene materials. In particular, the use of LiClO₄ during the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite allowed the formation of highly oxidized graphene with a C/O ratio close to 4.0 and represents a possible avenue for the mass production of graphene oxide as valid alternative to the current laborious and dangerous chemical procedures, which also have limited scalability.     

Aqueous Dispersions of Graphene from Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphite

A facile and environmentally friendly synthetic strategy for the production of stable and easily processable dispersions of graphene in water is presented. This strategy represents an alternative to classical chemical exfoliation methods (for example the Hummers method) that are more complex, harmful, and dangerous. The process is based on the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite and includes three simple steps: 1) the anodic exfoliation of graphite in (NH₄)₂SO₄, 2) sonication to separate the oxidized graphene sheets, and 3) reduction of oxidized graphene to graphene. The procedure makes it possible to convert around 30 wt % of the initial graphite into graphene with short processing times and high yields. The graphene sheets are well dispersed in water, have a carbon/oxygen atomic ratio of 11.7, a lateral size of about 0.5–1 μm, and contain only a few graphene layers, most of which are bilayer sheets. The processability of this type of aqueous dispersion has been demonstrated in the fabrication of macroscopic graphene structures, such as graphene aerogels and graphene films, which have been successfully employed as absorbents or as electrodes in supercapacitors, respectively.     

Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide as Screen‐printed Electrode Modifier for Fenamiphos Determination

In this study, electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) was used for the preparation of a screen‐printed modified electrode and applied for the voltammetric determination of fenamiphos (FNP) in tomato samples. Graphene oxide (GO) used for sensor construction was prepared according to an improved Hummers method and characterized by XRD, TEM, and FTIR, which confirmed the nanomaterial obtention. The ERGO formation was carried out from the electrodeposition by cyclic voltammetry, at 50 mV s^?1 in the potential range of 0.0 to ?1.5 V, during 50 cycles. ERGO‐SPE was used in the evaluation of the voltammetric behavior of FNP. The ERGO‐SPE proposed presented excellent electrochemical performance towards FNP oxidation, promoting an enhance on the anodic peak current and a decrease of peak potential. Under optimized conditions, it was possible to construct an analytical curve, using square wave voltammetry, with a linear region of 0.25 to 25.0 μM, with calculated limits of detection and quantification of 0.067 and 0.22 μM. From this, it was possible to analyze FNP in fortified tomato samples at three concentration levels, which showed recoveries values varying between 82 and 102 %. The ERGO‐SPE device proved useful in determining FNP, where the effect of the electrodeposition of the GO promoted a significant increase in the employability of the printed electrode.     

Electrochemical Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Three-Dimensional Copper Hydroxide Nanosupercages and Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide

Three-dimensional copper hydroxide nanosupercages and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide were used to modify the glassy carbon electrode for the selective determination of hydrogen peroxide. The morphology and electrochemistry properties of copper hydroxide nanosupercage/electrochemically reduced graphene oxide/glassy carbon electrode were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, Raman spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The resulting copper hydroxide nanosupercage/electrochemically reduced graphene oxide/glassy carbon electrode showed favorable performance for the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The amperometric current–time curve of the electrochemical sensor exhibited a wide linear range from 0.5 to 1030?µM with a limit of detection of 0.23?µM at a signal-to-noise ratio of three. Moreover, the sensor provided favorable selectivity, reproducibility, and stability and was used for the determination of H₂O₂ in tap water.     

Simple and Sensitive Voltammetric Determination of Esculetin Using Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Electrode

A simple and sensitive voltammetric sensor for esculetin, based on electrochemically reduced graphene oxide film modified glassy carbon electrode, was reported for the quantitative determination of esculetin in the Chinese traditional herbal drug Viola yedoensis Makino. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to study the characteristic of the graphene oxide film. The electrochemical behavior of esculetin on this sensor was investigated in pH 3.0 phosphate buffer solution by cyclic voltammetry. Significant advantages were achieved by the excellent conductivity and the high surface‐to‐volume ratio of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide. A calibration plot of oxidation peak currents versus esculetin concentrations was linear in the range of 4.0 ξ 10^‐8 mol L^‐1 to 5.0 ξ 10^‐6 mol L^‐1 with a detection limit of 2.0 ξ 10^‐8 mol L^‐1. The practical application of the present sensor was demonstrated by determining the concentration of esculetin in real sample with no interference.     

Electroreduction of Nitroaromatic Compounds at Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide Supported Bimetallic Ag@Pd Nanorods Modified Electrodes

The design and fabrication of nanostructured electrode with high activity at low cost are crucial elements in studying the toxicity of environmental pollutants. Here, we develop a combined step of generating Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide (ERGO) nanosheets on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode where an effective seed mediated growth followed by a galvanic exchange process were introduced for the direct growth of Ag core @Pd shell nanorods (Ag@Pd NRDs). The resulting electrode possesses a large surface area, interconnected porous networks, uniform distribution of bimetallic Ag@Pd NRDs with extremely thin size of Pd generation and good electrical conductivity, which are highly desirable for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). In the fabrication step, the shell like Cu at the bimetallic NRDs acts as a sacrificial template for forming a thin layer of Pd at Ag NRDs surface by redox replacement reaction. Thus, the resultant Ag@Pd NRDs on ERGO modified electrode was profoundly tested for the electrochemical sensing of NACs with high sensitivity, selectivity and a very low detection limit of 1.8×10^?11 M. Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) was used to study the linear range of 4‐nitroaniline (4‐NA) between 1.0×10^?9 M and 1.2×10^?8 M. The modified electrode exhibits better reproducibility and long term stability. In addition, the modified electrode out performed well in the real sample analysis containing NACs in the presence of different interfering cations and anions.     

Cauliflower‐like Platinum Particles Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide for Sensitive Determination of Acetaminophen

Over the past years, the development of electrochemical sensing platforms for the sensitive detection of drug molecules have received great interests. In this research study, we introduced cauliflower‐like platinum particles decorated reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode (Pt?RGO/GCE) as an electrochemical sensing platform for highly sensitive determination of acetaminophen (ACTM). The sensor was prepared via a simple and environmentally friendly two‐step electrodeposition method at room temperature. The combination of conductive RGO nanosheets and unique structured Pt particles (average 232 nm in diameter) provided an efficient interface with large effective surface area which greatly facilitated the electron transfer of ACTM. The experimental conditions that might affect the drug detection were studied in detail and optimized for best performance. The Pt?RGO/GCE was able to detect ACTM up to the limit of 2.2 nM with a linear concentration range from 0.01 to 350 μM. With its high reproducibility, excellent stability and selectivity, the as‐fabricated sensor was successfully applied to the ACTM content measurement in commercial tablets.     

Adsorption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Graphene Oxides and Reduced Graphene Oxides

Graphene has attracted increasing attention in multidisciplinary studies because of its unique physical and chemical properties. Herein, the adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as naphthalene (NAP), anthracene (ANT), and pyrene (PYR), on reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) and graphene oxides (GOs) as a function of pH, humic acid (HA), and temperature were elucidated by means of a batch technique. For comparison, nonpolar and nonporous graphite were also employed in this study. The increasing of pH from 2 to 11 did not influence the adsorption of PAHs on rGOs, whereas the suppressed adsorption of NAP on rGOs was observed both in the presence of HA and under high‐temperature conditions. Adsorption isotherms of PAHs on rGOs were in accordance with the Polanyi–Dubinin–Ashtahhov (PDA) model, providing evidence that pore filling and flat surface adsorption were involved. The saturated adsorbed capacities (in mmol g^?1) of rGOs for PAHs calculated from the PDA model significantly decreased in the order of NAP>PYR>ANT, which was comparable to the results of theoretical calculations. The pore‐filling mechanism dominates the adsorption of NAP on rGOs, but the adsorption mechanisms of ANT and PYR on rGOs are flat surface adsorption.     

Graphene Nanoplatelets: Electrochemical Properties and Applications for Oxidation of Endocrine‐Disrupting Chemicals

In most graphene‐based electrochemical applications, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have been applied. Now, for the first time, electrochemical properties of GNPs, namely, its electrochemical activity, potential window, and double‐layer capacitance, have been investigated. These properties are compared with those of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). GNP‐ and CNT‐coated electrodes were then applied for electrochemical oxidation of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals. The GNP‐coated electrode was characterized by atomic force microscopy and electrochemical techniques. Compared with the CNT‐coated electrode, higher peak current for the oxidation of 4‐nonylphenol is achieved on the GNP‐coated electrode, together with lower capacitive current. Electrochemical oxidation of 2,4‐dichlorophenol, bisphenol A, and octylphenol in the absence or presence of 4‐nonylphenol was studied on the GNP‐coated electrode. The results suggest that GNPs have better electrochemical performance than CNTs and are thus more promising for electrochemical applications, for example, electrochemical detection and removal of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals.     

Electrochemical Sensor for Sensitive Determination of Capsaicin Using Pd Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide

In this work, the reduced graphene oxide functionalized with poly dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (PDDA) modified palladium nanoparticles (PDDA‐rGO/Pd) had been facile synthesized and used as the sensing layer for sensitive determination of capsaicin. The prepared composite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy. The image demonstrated that Pd nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the graphene surface. The electrochemical properties of the prepared sensor were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the nanocomposite exhibits attractive electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of capsaicin. This attributed to the synergistic action of the excellent properties of Pd nanoparticles and graphene nanosheets. Under optimized conditions, the electrochemical sensor possessed a dynamic linear range from 0.32 μM to 64 μM with a detection limit of 0.10 μM (S/N=3) for capsaicin detection. Moreover, the cost‐effective and simple fabrication procedure, good reproducibility and stability as well as acceptable accuracy for capsaicin determination in actual samples are also the main advantages of this method, which might have broad application in other amide alkaloid detection.     

Unusual Inherent Electrochemistry of Graphene Oxides Prepared Using Permanganate Oxidants

Graphene and graphene oxides are materials of significant interest in electrochemical devices such as supercapacitors, batteries, fuel cells, and sensors. Graphene oxides and reduced graphenes are typically prepared by oxidizing graphite in strong mineral acid mixtures with chlorate (Staudenmaier, Hofmann) or permanganate (Hummers, Tour) oxidants. Herein, we reveal that graphene oxides pose inherent electrochemistry, that is, they can be oxidized or reduced at relatively mild potentials (within the range ±1 V) that are lower than typical battery potentials. This inherent electrochemistry of graphene differs dramatically from that of the used oxidants. Graphene oxides prepared using chlorate exhibit chemically irreversible reductions, whereas graphene oxides prepared through permanganate‐based methods exhibit very unusual inherent chemically reversible electrochemistry of oxygen‐containing groups. Insight into the electrochemical behaviour was obtained through cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments. Our findings are of extreme importance for the electrochemistry community as they reveal that electrode materials undergo cyclic changes in charge/discharge cycles, which has strong implications for energy‐storage and sensing devices.     

Reduced Graphene Sheets Modified Electrodes for Electrochemical Detection of Sulfide

This paper describes a new electrochemical sensor based on reduced graphene sheets (RGSs) modified glassy carbon electrodes for rapid detection of sulfide. The morphology and electrochemical properties of the RGSs are characterized by atomic force microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The effects of the scan rates and pH are investigated to evaluate the oxidation processes. Analytical performances of RGSs modified electrodes for direct determination of sulfide in phosphate buffer solutions (PBSs) are also assessed. The RGSs are shown to be viable potential material for sulfide detection as shown by their electrochemical performance.     

Adsorption and Kinetics Studies of Cr (VI) by Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite

In this work, graphene oxide (GO) and its reduced graphene oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposite (rGO-ZnO) was used for the removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous medium. By employing a variety of characterization techniques, morphological and structural properties of the adsorbents were determined. The adsorption study was done by varying concentration, temperature, pH, time, and amount of adsorbent. The results obtained confirmed that rGO-ZnO is a more economical and promising adsorbent for removing Cr (VI) as compared to GO. Kinetic study was also performed, which suggested that sorption of Cr (VI) follows the pseudo-first-order model. For equilibrium study, non-linear Langmuir was found a better fitted model than its linearized form. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated for GO and rGO-ZnO nanocomposite were 19.49 mg/g and 25.45 mg/g, respectively. Endothermic and spontaneous nature of adsorption was detected with positive values of ΔS (change in entropy), which reflects the structural changes happening at the liquid/solid interface.