Bridging the Surface Charge and Catalytic Activity of a Defective Carbon Electrocatalyst

Electrocatalysis is dominated by reaction at the solid–liquid–gas interface; surface properties of electrocatalysts determine the electrochemical behavior. The surface charge of active sites on catalysts modulate adsorption and desorption of intermediates. However, there is no direct evidence to bridge surface charge and catalytic activity of active sites. Defects (active sites) were created on a HOPG (highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) surface that broke the intrinsic sp²‐hybridization of graphite by plasma, inducing localization of surface charge onto defective active sites, as shown by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). An electrochemical test revealed enhanced intrinsic activity by the localized surface charge. DFT calculations confirmed the relationship between surface charge and catalytic activity. This work correlates surface charge and catalytic activity, providing insights into electrocatalytic behavior and guiding the design of advanced electrocatalysts.     

Decoration of Graphitic Surfaces with Sn Nanoparticles through Surface Functionalization Using Diazonium Chemistry

Composites of tin nanoparticles (Sn NP) and graphene are candidate materials for high capacity and mechanically stable negative electrodes in rechargeable Li ion batteries. A uniform dispersion of Sn NP with controlled size is necessary to obtain high electrochemical performance. We show that the nucleation of Sn particles on highly ordered pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) from solution can be controlled by functionalizing the HOPG surface by aryl groups prior to Sn deposition. On the contrary, we observe heterogeneous deposition of micrometer sized Sn islands on HOPG subjected to oxidation prior to deposition in the same conditions. We demonstrate that functional groups act as nucleation sites for Sn NP nucleation, and that homogeneous nucleation of small particles can be achieved by combining surface functionalization with diazonium chemistry and appropriate stabilizers in solution.     

Electrochemical investigation of lithium intercalation into graphite from molten lithium chloride

Lithium reduction at a graphite electrode in molten lithium chloride was studied at temperatures from 650 to 900 °C using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It was found that, during cathodic polarization, lithium intercalation into graphite occurred before deposition of metallic lithium started. This process was confirmed to be rate-controlled by the diffusion of lithium in the graphite. When the cathodic polarization potential was more negative than that for metallic lithium deposition, exfoliation of graphite particles from the electrode surface was observed. This was caused by fast and excessive accumulation of lithium intercalated into the graphite, which produced mechanical stress too high for the graphite matrix to accommodate. The erosion process was abated once the graphite surface was covered by a continuous layer of liquid lithium. These results are of relevance to the mechanism of carbon nanotube and nanoparticle formation by electrochemical synthesis in molten lithium chloride.     

Formation of Protective Coatings on Graphite by a Microspark Oxidation Method

Models, mechanisms, and criteria of formation of protective coatings on graphite by a microspark oxidation method (MSO) are considered. It is established that a prerequisite for the graphite MSO is the deposition of a barrier film of a valve metal oxide at the graphite surface. Optimum regimes of the graphite MSO in aqueous solutions of sodium aluminate are determined. Protective coatings on graphite comprising α-phase aluminum oxide are obtained. It is concluded that the graphite MSO should be viewed as a version of MSO of metals, which involves the electrochemical deposition (at high voltages that cause the anode to microspark) of oxide films consisting of electrolyte components on graphite, as opposed to a version of MSO of metals, which involves the formation of an anodic film consisting of electrolyte components and the intrinsic oxide.     

Nanoscale ordered structure of fullerenes on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The formation of an ordered arrangement of C₆₀ molecules as path-like structures on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) is reported for the first time with theoretical implementations. Fullerene nucleation and deposition from solutions with different concentrations of C₆₀ is performed under ambient conditions without electrochemical processes. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is used to study the surface topography. The results reveal new aspects of fullerene deposition that can potentially aid in modeling with theoretical simulations.     

Graphite felt modified with electroless Co-Ni-P alloy as an electrode material for electrochemical oxidation and reduction of polysulfide species

Electroless deposition of a Co?Ni?P alloy on the surface of graphite felt filaments was performed in a low-temperature pyrophosphate solution under flow-through conditions. The loading, composition, morphology, and structure of electroless the Co?Ni?P alloy deposit on the filaments of the modified graphite felt were investigated by gravimetric analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Electrochemical characterization of a graphite felt electrode modified with electroless Co?Ni?P alloy was performed by cyclic voltammetry, chrono-techniques, and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test in an aqueous solution of polysulfide composed of the mixture of 1 M Na₂S, 1 M NaOH and 1 M S. It was found that the electroless Co?Ni?P alloy deposit on graphite felt has good cycling stability and high electrocatalytic activity toward reversible electrochemical redox reactions of polysulfide species. In comparison with the bare graphite felt electrode, the electrode modified with the electroless Co?Ni?P alloy showed five to seven times lower values of anodic and cathodic overpotentials in the aqueous solution of polysulfide. It is very likely that the good electrochemical performance of the modified graphite felt electrode is related to the high surface area of the electroless Co?Ni?P alloy deposit.     

纳米Sn-Co/石墨复合材料的制备、结构和电化学性能

以化学沉积法制备Sn-Co合金纳米粒子/石墨复合材料,XRD和Ram an光谱表征物相结构,SEM观察表面形貌.结果显示,500℃高温热处理的Sn-Co/石墨复合材料,其颗粒密集均匀地分散于石墨载体上.Sn-Co合金纳米粒子颗粒直径100 nm左右.Sn-Co/石墨电极具有较高的比容量和循环寿命,这可能是该合金纳米粒子与棒状石墨间的亲合能有效地阻止Sn的脱落,Sn-Co的颗粒间隙缓冲锂嵌脱过程的结构张力,防止合金的膨胀与粉化.     

Electrochemical synthesis of nano-cobalt hexacyanoferrate at a sol–gel-coated electrode templated with β-cyclodextrin

The paper describes the time-dependent evolution of the electrochemical deposition of cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCFe) on graphite foil electrode modified with electrochemically formed sol–gel film doped with β-cyclodextrin to impart porosity. With short-time electrodeposition, cyclic voltammetry (CV) shows a single redox couple typical of nano-sized clusters of CoHCFe, while at longer deposition times the CV’s shape evolves to the classical form of a bulk compound in which there are present two redox couples. The electrode modified with β-cyclodextrin (CD) included in the sol–gel film has an active surface that corresponds to pores created by CD stacks normal to the surface. Hence, the electrochemical formation of CoHCFe starts in these conductive pores; only at long deposition times do the clusters overlap to form moieties with the voltammetric characteristics of bulk CoHCFe.     

Screen printed graphite macroelectrodes for the direct electron transfer of cytochrome c

We report the direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c at screen printed graphite electrodes which exhibits quasi-reversible voltammetric responses without the need for any chemical or electrochemical pre-treatment, use of mediators or nanomaterials. Through voltammetric studies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) it is shown that carbonyl and carboxylic surface oxygenated species likely residing at edge plane like- sites/defects of the graphite comprising the screen printed electrodes are responsible for the favourable interaction of the cytochrome c with that of the screen printed electrochemical sensing platform.     

Porous nickel deposits formed in the oxidation of alcohols in an alkaline medium

Highly porous nickel matrices with varied content of nickel were formed on a glassy graphite electrode by the electrochemical deposition method. The nickel deposits were studied by pulsed chronoamperometry, impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry on a rotating disk electrode in a 1 M KOH solution and in alkaline solutions containing methanol or ethanol. The process in which a hydroxide film is formed on the nickel surface in an alkaline solution and the influence exerted by this process on the catalytic oxidation of alcohols on nickel in an alkaline medium are discussed.     

Deposition of magnetic colloidal particles on graphite and mica surfaces driven by solvent evaporation

The deposition of colloidal magnetite particles onto graphite and mica surfaces induced by solvent evaporation is studied using atomic force microscopy. After evaporation under ambient conditions we observe polydisperse beadlike aggregates; the mean aggregate diameter is larger on graphite than on mica. After evaporation at elevated temperatures we observe a variety of effects, including enhanced particle aggregation and spinodal-like deposition patterns. To explain these trends, we propose mechanisms involving the wetting properties of the solvent. We have also made a brief study of the effects of applied magnetic fields on the formation of aggregates. A field applied parallel to the surface enhances aggregation and favors deposition patterns characteristic of hole-nucleation processes. A perpendicular field leads to a reduction in aggregate size and favors a homogeneous distribution of particles on the surface. These effects are explained in terms of the likely orientation of the dipolar particles on the surface.     

Edge plane sites on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite as templates for making palladium nanowires via electrochemical decoration

An approach for the fabrication of metal nanowires is presented. Palladium wires with diameters less than 50 nm were produced by electrochemical decoration of step edge sites on the surface of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite via the following three steps. First an electrochemical activation step was used to oxidize the edge plane sites on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surfaces in 0.5 M Na(2)SO(4). Second, a potential cycling step in a 1 mM PdCl(2) solution in 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) was used to form palladium oxide (s) and/or complexes of Pd on the step edges. Third, Pd nanowires were formed by electroreduction after transfer of the graphite to 0.1 M H(2)SO(4). The resulting wires showed a high degree of uniformity. A merit of this approach is that it allowed metal nanowires to be fabricated without the simultaneous formation of nanoparticles on the basal plane terraces, in contrast to other studies of this type. The mesoscopic palladium wires are shown to be useful for the electrochemical sensing of hydrazine.     

Ni-P-C复合材料的制备及其电催化产氢性能研究

通过化学镀技术制备了亚微米级的Ni-P镀层石墨粉复合粉体新材料(即Ni-PC).采用扫描电子显微镜、X-射线能谱仪、X-射线粉末衍射仪对Ni-P-C复合粉体分别进行表面形貌分析、表面成分分析和物相分析.通过对Ni-P-C材料电极进行电解水析氢、循环伏安和Tafel极化等电化学测试,研究对比了Ni-P-C(石墨)材料与试剂石墨粉体以及纯Ni电极的电化学催化产氢性能.结果表明:利用化学镀技术成功地在石墨粉体表面镀上了一层亚微米级且均匀、致密的非晶态Ni-P合金.Ni-P-C(石墨)复合电极材料析氢能力强,具有良好的电化学活性.     

A comparison of the electrochemical stabilities of metal,polymer and graphite coated nanospray emitters

Chronoamperometry (CA) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to compare the electrochemical behavior of metal, polymer and graphite coated nanospray emitters. It is shown that electrochemical reactions occurring at the emitter surface limit the lifetime of the noble metal coated nanospray emitters while the graphite coated nanospray emitters show good electrochemical stabilities. Although the surface of the graphite coated emitters may be passivated at positive potentials, the conductive coating is not lost as for the noble metal coated nanospray emitters. The graphite coated nanospray emitters still produced a stable nanospray signal despite the presence of a passivated surface. The polymer (i.e. polyaniline) coated nanospray emitters showed very low electrochemical activity and could not be thoroughly tested by CA. The relative short lifetimes seen in the electrochemical tests are qualitatively comparable with those obtained in nanospray experiments, in which only the outmost tip of the emitter is electrochemically active. However, the electrochemical stress during CA far exceeds the stress during ESI, which implies that CA can be used to perform quick and simple estimates of emitter stabilities. To our knowledge, this is the first time the electrochemical behavior of metal, polymer and graphite coated nanospray emitters has been compared.     

温度对石墨电极性能的影响

运用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)并结合循环伏安法(CV)研究了石墨电极25和60 ℃时在1 mol·L-1 LiPF6-EC(碳酸乙烯酯):DEC(碳酸二乙酯):DMC(碳酸二甲酯)电解液中, 以及60 ℃时在1 mol·L-1 LiPF6-EC:DEC:DMC+5%VC(碳酸亚乙烯酯)电解液中的首次阴极极化过程. 发现高温下(60 ℃)石墨电极在1 mol·L-1 LiPF6-EC:DEC:DMC电解液中可逆循环容量衰减的主要原因在于其表面无法形成稳定的固体电解质相界面(SEI)膜. 实验结果显示, VC添加剂能够增进高温下石墨电极表面SEI膜的稳定性, 进而改进石墨电极的循环性能.     

Electrodeposition of Zr on graphite in molten fluorides

The electrochemical behavior of Zr⁴⁺ using graphite working electrode has been studied in fused LiF–NaF–ZrF₄ eutectic mixture (temperature range 923–1123 K). In addition to the electrochemical profile related to the deposition/dissolution of Zr metal, the cyclic voltammograms exhibit well-defined peaks attributed to the formation of zirconium carbide. A third contribution relative to the formation of Li–graphite intercalation compound and/or lithium carbide was also proposed for a better interpretation of the voltammogram. Depending on the experimental deposition conditions, the analysis of the deposits by SEM/EDX has revealed the presence of a Zr metal thin film with various porosities and compositions. Moreover, the electrochemical reduction of Zr(IV) in molten fluorides using a graphite electrode allows the extraction of pure Zr metal.     

直流电电化学沉积镍制备原位生长碳纳米管化学修饰电极

利用直流电电化学沉积法将生长碳纳米管(CNT)的催化剂镍均匀地附着在石墨电极(GE)表面,再通过化学气相沉积法制备得到原位生长碳纳米管化学修饰电极(GSCNT-CME).电化学沉积的金属镍和所制备的修饰电极分别用光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和电子能谱(EDX)进行表征,所得修饰电极的电化学性能用[Fe(CN)6]3-/[Fe(CN)6]4-溶液进行表征.结果表明:经直流电电化学沉积,可以在石墨电极表面沉积一层致密的金属镍,能生长出管径均匀的碳纳米管,所制得的修饰电极具有良好的电化学响应灵敏性和准确性,可在电化学检测领域发挥重要的应用.     

Effects of organic additives on zinc electrodeposition at iron electrodes studied by EQCM and in situ STM

Effects of organic additives, such as benzoic acid (BA) and poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs), on the initial stage of the zinc electrodeposition have been investigated at iron electrodes using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements and in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy in an acidic zinc chloride solution in efforts to gain a molecular-level understanding of their roles. BA is adsorbed strongly at the sites of more negative potentials on the electrode, although it is randomly adsorbed on the iron surface at around an open circuit potential. Its role seems to control the deposition rate at the dendritic sites by blocking the active surface via adsorption. On the contrary, PEGs are adsorbed more or less evenly with a well-ordered structure on the iron surface and appear to desorb in the underpotential deposition region of zinc ions, which helps inhibit proton reduction by effectively blocking the electrode surface.     

Morphology and modulus evolution of graphite anode in lithium ion battery: An in situ AFM investigation

We investigated the interfacial electrochemical processes on graphite anode of lithium ion battery by using highly oriented pyrolytic graphite(HOPG)as a model system.In situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy experiments were performed in 1M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide/ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate to reveal the formation process of solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)on HOPG basal plane during potential variation.At 1.45 V,the initial deposition of SEI began at the defects of HOPG surface.After that,direct solvent decomposition took place at about 1.3 V,and the whole surface was covered with SEI.The thickness of SEI was 10.4±0.2 nm after one cycle,and increased to 13.8±0.2 nm in the second cycle,which is due to the insufficient electron blocking ability of the surface film.The Young’s modulus of SEI was measured by a peak force quantitative nanomechanical mapping(QNM).The Young’s modulus of SEI is inhomogeneous.The statistic value is 45±22 MPa,which is in agreement with the organic property of SEI on basal plane of HOPG.     

Local surface patterning by chitosan-stabilized gold nanoparticles using the direct mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM)

An approach for patterning surfaces with prepared nanoparticles is described. Chitosan-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au/chitosan NPs) were locally deposited on stainless steel (StSt), indium tin oxide (ITO), and highly-ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). Deposition was driven by local pH gradient formed between a surface and a scanning electrochemical microscopy tip set in the direct mode. The pH at the substrate was increased upon biasing the surface by negative potentials, which caused the reduction of water. As the pH on the surface exceeded that of $ {\mathrm{pK}}_{{\mathrm{chitosanH}}^{+}}\sim 6.3 $ deprotonation of the amino groups of chitosan caused the irreversible deposition of the chitosan/AuNPs. The effect of different parameters, such as tip–surface distance and time, on deposition was studied. While the potential duration showed no clear influence, smaller tip–substrate distance and more negative potentials applied to the surface caused larger deposits. The overpotential needed for the deposition of nanoparticles on HOPG was the highest while that for StSt was the lowest. On the former, the sluggish kinetics caused the deposition of ring-shaped structures while disk-shaped deposits were formed on the other surfaces.