Graphite powder and multiwalled carbon nanotubes chemically modified with 4-nitrobenzylamine.

We demonstrate that graphite powder and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can be derivatised by 4-nitrobenzylamine (4-NBA) simply by stirring the graphite powder or MWCNTs in a solution of acetonitrile containing 10 mM 4-NBA. We propose that 4-NBA partially intercalates at localised edge-plane or edge-plane-like defect sites and this hypothesis with a range of experimental data provided by electrochemistry in both aqueous and nonaqueous media, electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction.     

The influence of edge-plane defects and oxygen-containing surface groups on the voltammetry of acid-treated, annealed and “super-annealed” multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The role of edge-plane-like defects at the open ends of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and at hole defects in the tube walls is explored using cyclic voltammetry with two charged redox probes, namely potassium ferrocyanide and hexaamineruthenium(III) chloride in unbuffered aqueous solutions, and one neutral redox probe, norepinephrine, in pH 5.7 buffer. Further, the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups (such as phenol, quinonyl and carboxyl groups), which decorate the edge-plane defect sites on the voltammetric response of the MWCNTs, is also explored. To this end, three different pre-treatments were performed on the pristine MWCNTs made using the arc-discharge method (arc-MWCNTs). These were (a) arc-MWCNTs were subjected to acid oxidation to form acid-MWCNTs—open-ended MWCNTs also possessing numerous hole defects revealing a large number of edge-plane-like sites heavily decorated with surface functional groups; (b) acid-MWCNTs, which were subsequently vacuum-annealed at 900 °C to remove the functional groups but leaving the many undecorated edge-plane-like sites exposed (ann-MWCNTs); (c) ann-MWCNTs, which were subjected to a further vacuum “super-annealing” stage at 1,750 °C (sup-MWCNTs), which caused the hole defects to close and also closed the tube ends, thereby, restoring the original, pristine, almost edge-plane defect-free MWCNTs structure. The results of the voltammetric characterisation of the acid-, ann- and sup-MWCNTs provide further evidence that edge-plane-like sites are the electroactive sites on MWCNTs. The presence of oxygen-containing surface groups is found to inhibit the rate of electron transfer at these sites under the conditions used herein. Finally, the two charged, “standard” redox probes used were found to undergo strong interactions with the oxygen-containing surface groups present. Thus, we advise caution when using these redox probes to attempt to voltammetrically characterise MWCNTs, and by extension, graphitic carbon surfaces.     

Electrocatalysis at graphite and carbon nanotube modified electrodes: edge-plane sites and tube ends are the reactive sites

Carbon, and particularly graphite in its various forms, is an attractive electrode material. Two areas of particular interest are modified carbon electrodes and carbon nanotube electrodes. In this article we focus on the relationship between surface structure and electrochemical and chemical reactivity of electrodes based on these materials. We overview recent work in this area which has led us to believe that much of the catalytic activity, electron transfer and chemical reactivity of graphitic carbon electrodes is at surface defect sites, and in particular edge-plane-like defect sites. We also question the claimed special "catalytic" properties of carbon nanotube modified electrodes.     

Quasi in situ XPS study of anion intercalation into HOPG from the ionic liquid [EMIM][BF4]

Highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrodes were electrochemically oxidized in the ionic liquid [EMIM][BF₄]. Both, the electrolyte and the electrode surface were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) after electrochemical treatment. For that purpose an electrochemical preparation chamber was attached to the ultra high vacuum system allowing for preparation of electrodes in non-aqueous electrolyte and subsequent sample transfer under inert nitrogen atmosphere. The XP-spectra of all species detected on the oxidized HOPG surface show core level shifts towards lower binding energies referring to a Fermi level shift and proving that a graphite intercalation compound was formed. Anion intercalation occurs together with co-intercalation of cations at 2 V vs. carbon quasi-reference electrode and is found to be irreversible. XPS analysis of the ionic liquid prior to and after electrochemical treatment indicates a change in electrolyte composition.     

The Electrocatalytic Properties of Arc‐MWCNTs and Associated ‘Carbon Onions’

For the first time we report on the electrochemical characteristics of nanometer sized polyhedral graphite onions dispersed amongst arc‐MWCNTs. These are formed during the electric arc discharge method of producing ultrapure MWCNTs (arc‐MWCNTs). The carbon onions are randomly dispersed amongst the arc‐MWCNTs which are produced with very little amorphous carbon deposits or other unwanted impurities and are formed as closed‐ended tubes. By comparison with commercially available open‐ended hollow‐tube multiwalled carbon nanotubes made using the chemical vapor deposition method (cvd‐MWCNTs), a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), an edge‐plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (eppg) and basal plane pyrolytic graphite (bppg) electrode, we can speculate that it is the edge‐plane‐like defect sites that are the electroactive sites responsible for the apparent ‘electrocatalysis’ seen with a wide range of analytes including: ferrocyanide, ruthenium hexaamine(III), nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NADH), epinephrine, norepinephrine, cysteine, and glutathione. The arc‐MWCNTs themselves are produced as closed‐ended tubes with very few, if any, edge‐plane‐like defect sites evident in their HRTEM characterization. Therefore we speculate that it is the carbon onions dispersed amongst the arc‐MWCNTs which have incomplete graphite shells or a rolled‐up ‘Swiss‐roll’ structures that posses the edge‐plane‐like defect sites and are responsible for the observed voltammetric responses. Carbon onions are no more or no less ‘electrocatalytic’ than open‐ended MWCNTs which in turn are no more electrocatalytic than an eppg electrode. As the carbon onions are ubiquitous in MWCNTs formed using the arc‐discharge method the authors advise that caution should be taken before assigning any electrocatalytic behavior to the MWCNTs themselves as any observed electrocatalysis likely arises from the carbon onion impurities.     

Role of solution structure in the electrochemical intercalation of Ca2+ into graphite layers

In this study, we investigated the electrochemical intercalation of Ca²⁺ into graphite as an anode material for calcium-ion batteries (CIBs). The electrochemical intercalation of Ca²⁺ into a graphite electrode is possible when γ-butyrolactone (GBL) is utilized as a solvent, resulting in a reversible charge/discharge capacity. The GBL-based electrolyte allows a reversible redox reaction, thereby resulting in the intercalation and deintercalation of Ca²⁺ within the graphite electrode. Conversely, Ca²⁺ cannot be intercalated between the graphite layers in the ethylene carbonate–diethyl carbonate (EC–DEC)–based electrolyte. Analyses of the solution structures of both cases indicated that the interaction between the GBL solvent and Ca²⁺ was weak whereas that between the EC–DEC solvent and Ca²⁺ was strong. As a result of analyzing the surface of the negative electrode after charging and discharging from XPS, it was confirmed that a component that seems to be a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) was confirmed in the graphite electrode using the GBL-based electrolyte.

     

高氯酸根阴离子在HOPG中嵌入行为的EC-STM研究

运用电化学扫描隧道显微镜（EC-STM）和循环伏安（CV）技术对高氯酸根阴离子ClO₄^-在高序热解石墨（HOPG）中的电化学嵌入行为进行了研究. 通过观察嵌入前后石墨台阶处高度的变化,比较了不同高度的台阶对嵌入的影响,讨论了ClO₄^-离子嵌入石墨的可行性、可逆性和嵌入速率. 研究表明,3层以上的台阶位才有可能观察到由四阶和三阶嵌入引起的台阶高度变化,4 ~ 8个原子层高度的石墨台阶可以实现ClO₄^-在台阶处较为可逆的四阶嵌入,但1 ~ 2层台阶处无法观察到嵌入引起的台阶高度变化,嵌入反应通常会伴随台阶的剥离和脱落现象. 四阶的嵌入反应较三阶可逆,二阶和一阶时,嵌入所需反应电势较高,此时氧化反应较为剧烈,嵌入反应被掩盖,很难观察到台阶高度的变化,更多的形貌变化是台面和台阶处不可逆的损坏如剥落、断层、黑坑等.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of quinone functionalized exfoliated graphite.

Natural graphite was exfoliated by thermal decomposition of graphite-bisulfate intercalation compound. Oxidative/reductive pre-treatment of exfoliated graphite was subsequently carried out to introduce various functional groups on the graphite surface. The resulting material was covalently modified with redox active quinones. The covalent modification was effected through oxygen containing functional groups formed on the graphite surface. The modified exfoliated graphite was characterized by infra-red (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical characterization of the pressed pellets of the modified graphite showed that the modification occurred at the edge sites. These electrodes were found to be very stable and the surface renewal was simply accomplished by polishing the surface using SiC emery sheets. Application of the benzoquinone modified electrode for the electrocatalysis of ascorbic acid oxidation was demonstrated.     

Dispersing and functionalizing multiwalled carbon nanotubes in TiO2 sol

We report that oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can be synchronously dispersed and functionalized in TiO2 sol via an in situ sol-gel process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the functionalized MWCNTs. The results revealed that the hydrolysis and condensation originated from Ti(OC4H9)4 molecules favor the dispersion of MWCNTs in as-prepared TiO2 sol. Based on the strong interaction between the oxidized MWCNTs and TiO2 sol during the in situ sol-gel process, MWCNT (core)-TiOx (shell) tubular composites and TiO2 nanotubes can be obtained through filtrating, washing, and annealing of this kind of TiO2 sol containing functionalized MWCNTs, as revealed by TEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and redispersion experiment. By casting the dilute dispersion of functionalized MWCNTs onto a hydrophilic Si surface, discrete and individual nanotubes can be observed by AFM.     

Intercalation of Cyclic Amines into α-Titanium Phosphate

The intercalation of some amines (aniline, benzylamine, cyclohexylamine,piperidine, pyridine, pyrazine and piperazine) into -titaniumphosphate, Ti(HPO₄)_2×H₂O,has been investigated by the batch method and/or by exposing the host to thevapour of the amines. The changes in the interlayer distance of the solidduring the intercalation process was followed by X-ray powder diffraction.The new intercalates were characterised by chemical and thermal analysis.Materials with a monolaminar and/or bilaminar arrangement of amine moleculesin the phosphate interlayer region are obtained depending on the nature ofthe amine. Due to steric hindrance, saturated phases are not obtained forall amines studied. The thermal decomposition of the intercalates (nitrogenatmosphere), takes place in three stages: dehydration, removal of amines andcondensation of the hydrogenphosphate to pyrophosphate groups.     

Acceptor-type graphite intercalation compounds and new carbon materials based on them

The problems of synthesis and study of the physicochemical properties of graphite intercalation compounds (GIC) formed upon insertion of various molecules into the interplanar space of graphite are considered. Binary and ternary intercalation compounds with protonic acids (HNO₃, CH₃COOH, H₃PO₄, H₂SO₄, etc.) are described. The results of systematic research into graphite intercalation by potentiometry, calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, conductivity measurements, DTA, chemical analysis, and other methods are given. These results underlie elucidation of the characteristic and peculiar features of acid insertion into graphite. The physicochemical properties and practical applications of GIC and low-density carbon materials are analyzed. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1699–1716, August, 2005.     

Preparation and characterization of a tetrabutylammonium graphite intercalation compound

The intercalation of tetrabutylammonium (TBA) cations into graphite by cation exchange from a sodium-ethylenediamine graphite intercalation compound yields a single-phase first-stage product, C(44)TBA, with a gallery expansion of 0.47 nm. The gallery dimension requires an anisotropic "flattened" cation conformation.     

Encapsulation of polyanilines into graphite oxide

Herein we report on the intercalation of polyaniline, poly(2-ethylaniline), and poly(2-propylaniline) into graphite oxide. This was achieved by taking advantage of the exfoliation/reconstruction properties of the layered host. The resulting intercalates were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis.     

Surface-fluorinated graphite anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Surface modification of graphite powder has been performed by chemical fluorination using elemental fluorine at 200 °C and 300 °C. This process leads to an increase of the BET surface area due to partial CC bond breaking. Surface analyses performed by secondary ions mass spectrometry have shown that the H + O content at the surface of graphite is significantly decreased by this fluorination treatment. Fluorinated graphite powders have been tested as negative electrodes in Li-ion battery, chronopotentiometry measurements have shown that the fluorinated graphite exhibits better electrochemical performances than raw graphite powder notably due to an increase of the surface area which allows the storage of a higher amount of lithium into the host lattice. In addition, impedance measurements performed in a delithiated state have shown a significant decrease of the total cell resistance, i.e. a decrease of both the charge transfer resistance and the resistance related to the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer.     

Relationship between Carbon Nanotube Structure and Electrochemical Behavior: Heterogeneous Electron Transfer at Electrochemically Activated Carbon Nanotubes

The electrochemical activation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (at potentials of 1.5–2.0 V vs Ag/AgCl for 60–360 s) results in significantly increased rate constants ( ) for heterogeneous electron‐transfer with [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? (from 8.34×10^?5 cm s^?1 for as‐received MWCNTs to 3.67×10^?3 cm s^?1 for MWCNTs that were electrochemically activated at 2.0 V for 180 s). The increase in the value of arises from the introduction of wall defects exposing edge planes of the MWCNTs, as observed by high‐resolution TEM. The density of the edge plane defects increases from almost zero (for as‐received MWCNTs) to 3.7 % (for MWCNTs electrochemically activated at 2.0 V for 180 s). High‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR‐XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to gain a better understanding of the phenomena. HR‐XPS revealed that the increase in electrochemical activation potential increases the number of oxygen‐containing groups on the surface of carbon nanotubes.     

SYNTHESIS OF POLY(VINYL ACETATE)-INTERCALATED GRAPHITE OXIDE BY AN IN SITU INTERCALATIVE POLYMERIZATION*

Graphite oxide, a pseudo-two-dimensional solid in bulk form, was synthesized from natural graphite powder byoxidization with KMnO_4 in concentrated H_2SO_4. The poly(vinyl acetate)-intercalated graphite oxide nano-composite wasprepared by an in situ intercalative polymerization reaction, in which n-octanol-graphite oxide intercalation compounds werefirst obtained, vinyl acetate monomer was then dispersed into the interlayer of modified graphite oxide, followed by thermalpolymerization of the monomer. It was experimentally shown that the c-axis space of poly(vinyl acetate)-intercalated graphiteoxide was increased to 0.115 nm, which suggested there existed a monolayer of poly(vinyl acetate) chain between the layersof graphite oxide. The nanocomposite was also characterized with thermal analysis and FT-IR spectrometry.     

Apparent 'electrocatalytic' activity of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the detection of the anaesthetic halothane: occluded copper nanoparticles

The electrocatalytic detection of the anaesthetic halothane on a multiwalled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode is reported with a low limit of detection of 4.6 microM. A thorough investigation of the underlying cause of this apparent catalytic effect is undertaken by comparing the response of various carbon electrodes including glassy carbon, basal- and edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes (bppg and eppg respectively) to increasing additions of halothane. The reduction of halothane is shifted by 250-300 mV to more negative potentials at an eppg electrode than that observed at the GC-CNT electrode. Therefore the results of this investigation show that, surprisingly, the electrocatalysis is not solely due to the introduction of edge-plane-like defect sites on the carbon nanotubes as is commonly found for many other substrates showing favourable voltammetry at nanotube modified electrodes. Instead, we reveal that in this unusual case the electroactive sites for the reduction of halothane are due to the presence of copper nanoparticles occluded within the carbon nanotubes during their production, which are never completely removed by standard purification techniques such as acid washing. This is only the third known case where apparent electrocatalysis by carbon nanotube modified electrodes is due to occluded metal-related nanoparticles within the nanotube structure, rather than the active sites being the edge-plane-like defect sites on the nanotubes. Furthermore this is the first case where the active sites are nanoparticles of copper metal, rather than metal oxide nanoparticles (namely oxides of iron(II)/(III)) as was found to be the case in the previous examples.     

Intercalation and stitching of graphite oxide with diaminoalkanes

The intercalation reaction of graphite oxide with diaminoalkanes, with the general formula H2N(CH2)nNH2 (n = 4-10), was studied as a method for synthesizing pillared graphite with tailored interlayer spacing. Interlayer spacings from 0.8 to 1.0 nm were tailored by varying the size of the intercalant from (CH2)4 to (CH2)10. X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy were used to confirm intercalation, and the frequency of the CH2 stretch confirmed that the intercalants are in a disordered state, with an important contribution from the gauche conformer. Sequential intercalation of diaminoalkanes followed by dodecylamine demonstrated the inability of these "stitched" systems to undergo expansion along the c-direction, indicative of cross-linking. Finally, the reaction of graphite oxide with diaminoalkanes under reflux and for extended periods (>72 h) resulted in the chemical reduction of the graphite oxide to a disordered graphitic structure.     

Investigation of hydrolysed TaCl5-graphite intercalation compounds with PIXE

Graphite intercalation compounds combine low density with high electrical conductivity. These physical properties makes these compounds interesting as components of carbon epoxy composites, but the high reactivity of graphite intercalation compounds to moisture is an obstacle for practical applications.Earlier investigations showed that tantalum chloride forms with graphite flakes an intercalation compound, which is stable against humidity for a few days. We studied the stability against moisture of a stage-2 tantalum chloride intercalation compound after one year. A fresh tantalum chloride intercalation compound was exposed for 2 h in water and afterwards stored at room humidity for ca. 1 year. Some of the flakes were embedded in epoxy resin after a few months. After 1 year all flakes were highly altered. The non-embedded flakes showed coatings of tantalum oxide on the surface. The epoxy-resin-mounted flakes showed an irregular surface with many cracks. The edges of the flakes were sealed by epoxy resin, whereas the basal planes of the flakes are not coated. With particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) we performed Ta and Cl analyses across the flakes. The ClTa ratios varied over a wide range and, especially near the cracks, were very low. In other regions of the flake we found that tantalum oxychloride or a mixture of tantalum chloride and tantalum oxide had been formed. In a few regions we found evidence that tantalum chloride was encapsulated in the interior of the flakes.     

Thermal exfoliation of electrochemically synthesized graphite intercalation compound with perrhenic acid

In present work, we describe the synthesis of graphite intercalation compounds with perrhenic acid (HReO₄-GIC) through the anodic oxidation of graphite in aqueous perrhenic acid solution and their thermal exfoliation. Due to electrochemical treatment of graphite in perrhenic acid solution, ReO₄⁻ ions are intercalated into interlayer spaces of graphite. Anodic oxidation of graphite in HReO₄ solution leads to the formation of 3-stage GIC. Simultaneously, some amount of perrhenic acid becomes deposited on the graphite surface and edges. In the next step, thermal treatment of the previously synthesized GIC was performed, causing both the exfoliation of graphitic structure and transformation of perrhenic acid into rhenium oxides on the surface of graphene layers. The yielded product was exfoliated graphite-ReO₂/ReO₃ composite. The obtained composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, specific surface area of the exfoliated materials was measured.