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.     

Graphene Functionalized Graphite Electrode with Diphenylacetylene for Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate

In this paper a molecular wire modified carbon paste electrode (MW‐CPE) was firstly prepared by mixing graphite powder with diphenylacetylene (DPA). Then a graphene (GR) and chitosan (CTS) composite film was further modified on the surface of MW‐CPE to receive the graphene functionalized electrode (CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE), which was used for the sensitive electrochemical detection of adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP). The CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE exhibited excellent electrochemical performance and the electrochemical behavior of ATP on the CTS‐GR/MW‐CPE was carefully studied by cyclic voltammetry with an irreversible oxidation peak appearing at 1.369 V (vs. SCE). The electrochemical parameters such as charge transfer coefficient (α) and electrode reaction standard rate constant (k_s) were calculated with the results of 0.53 and 5.28×10^?6 s^?1, respectively. By using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) as detection technique, the oxidation peak current showed good linear relationship with ATP concentration in the range from 1.0 nM to 700.0 µM with a detection limit of 0.342 nM (3σ). The common coexisting substances, such as uric acid, ascorbic acid and guanosine‐5′‐triphosphate (GTP), showed no interferences and the modified electrode was successfully applied to injection sample detection.     

Fabrication of Mesoporous Cu Films on Cu Foils and Their Applications to Dopamine Sensing

We previously succeeded to prepare stable mesoporous Cu films on Au‐coated conductive working electrodes by using polystyrene‐b ‐poly(oxyethylene) (PS_{63 000}‐b ‐PEO_{26 000}) micelles as template and sulfuric acid to increase ionic conductivity. In the present study, we report the preparation of mesoporous Cu films on Cu foil. By changing the Cu salts and electrodeposition potentials, we discuss how these parameters influence the final product. Without having to filtrate interefering species, such as uric acid, ascorbic acid and glucose, the dopamine concentration can be precisely determined by applying a suitable potential. Therefore, non‐invasive electrochemical sensing based on mesoporous films will be useful for daily diagnosis of mental disorder.     

Electrochemical Fluorographane: Hybrid Electrocatalysis of Biomarkers,Hydrogen Evolution,and Oxygen Reduction

Fluorographane (C₁H_xF_1?x+δ)_n is a new member of the graphene family that exhibits hydrophobicity and a large band gap that is tunable based on the level of fluorination. Herein, sensing and energy applications of fluorographane are reported. The results reveal that the carbon‐to‐fluoride ratio of fluorographane has a great impact on the electrochemical performance of the materials. Lowered oxidation potentials for ascorbic and uric acids, in addition to a catalytic effect for hydroquinone and dopamine redox processes, are obtained with a high fluoride content. Moreover, fluorographane, together with residual copper‐ and nickel‐based doping, acted as a hybrid electrocatalyst to promote hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions with considerably lower onset potentials than those of graphane (starting material), which makes this a promising material for a broad range of applications.     

Unadulterated Glucose Biosensor Based on Direct Electron Transfer of Glucose Oxidase Encapsulated Chitosan Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Glucose oxidase (GOD) was encapsulated in chitosan matrix and immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode, achieving direct electron transfer (DET) reaction between GOD and electrode without any nano‐material. On basis of such DET, a novel glucose biosensor was fabricated for direct bioelectrochemical sensing without any electron‐mediator. GOD incorporated in chitosan films gave a pair of stable, well‐defined, and quasireversible cyclic voltammetric peaks at about ?0.284 (E_pa) and ?0.338 V (E_pc) vs. Ag/AgCl electrode in phosphate buffers. And the peak is located at the potentials characteristic of FAD redox couples of the proteins. The electrochemical parameters, such as midpoint potential (E_1/2) and apparent heterogeneous electron‐transfer rate constants (k_s) were estimated to ?0.311 V and 1.79 s^?1 by voltammetry, respectively. Experimental results indicate that the encapsulated GOD retains its catalytic activity for the oxidation of glucose. Such a GOD encapsulated chitosan based biosensor revealed a relatively rapid response time of less than 2 min, and a sufficient linear detection range for glucose concentration, from 0.60 to 2.80 mmol L^?1 with a detection limit of 0.10 mmol L^?1 and electrode sensitivity of 0.233 μA mmol^?1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is under 3.2% (n=7) for the determination of practical serum samples. The biologic compounds probably existed in the sample, such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, and epinephrine, do not affect the determination of glucose. The proposed method is satisfactory to the determination of human serum samples compared with the routine hexokinase method. Both the unique electrical property and biocompatibility of chitosan enable the construction of a good bio‐sensing platform for achieved DET of GOD and developed the third‐generation glucose biosensors.     

Synthesis and characterization of partially fluorinated stearolic acid analogs: Effect of their fluorine content on the monolayer at the air-water interface

Novel stearolic acid analogs (i.e., 9-octadecynoic acid analogs: 1a-d) containing the shorter perfluoroalkyl groups, CF₃, C₂F₅, n-C₃F₇ or n-C₄F₉ group were synthesized. Equilibrium spreading pressures (π_es) of their monolayers at the air-water interface were measured in order to demonstrate how the fluorine content has an effect on the stability of the fatty acid monolayers. As the fluorine content in stearolic acid molecule increased, its melting points was lowered indicating the solid bulk phase of stearolic acid became thermally unstable, while its monolayer stability evaluated by π_e at 25 °C, dramatically increased and subsequently leveled off above a certain fluorine content. Under this condition, the replacement of at least five hydrogen atoms at the terminal hydrophobic segment in stearolic acid molecule by fluorine atoms (CF₃CF₂ group) was required to alter the bulk property of stearolic acid and exhibit the stabilization of monolayers, whereas further fluorination of stearolic acid had a minor effect on the monolayer stability. This behavior suggests the terminal fluorinated hydrophobic segment exclusively controls the interfacial stability of fatty acid monolayers.     

Voltammetric Determination of Uric Acid at a Fullerene‐C60‐Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Glassy carbon electrode modified by microcrystals of fullerene‐C₆₀ mediates the voltammetric determination of uric acid (UA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). Interference of AA was overcome owing to the ability of pretreated fullerene‐C₆₀‐modified glassy carbon electrode. Based on its strong catalytic function towards the oxidation of UA and AA, the overlapping voltammetric response of uric acid and ascorbic acid is resolved into two well‐defined voltammetric peaks with lowered oxidation potential and enhanced oxidation currents under conditions of both linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Osteryoung square‐wave voltammetry (OSWV). At pH 7.2, a linear calibration graph is obtained for UA in linear sweep voltammetry over the range from 0.5 μM to 700 μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9904 and a sensitivity of 0.0215 μA μM^?1 . The detection limit (3σ) is 0.2 μM for standard solution. AA in less than four fold excess does not interfere. The sensitivity and detection limit in OSWV were found as 0.0255 μA μM^?1 and 0.12 μM, for standard solution respectively. The presence of physiologically common interferents (i.e. adenine, hypoxanthine and xanthine) negligibly affects the response of UA. The fullerene‐C₆₀‐modified electrode exhibited a stable, selective and sensitive response to uric acid in the presence of interferents.     

Stabilities,electronic properties of exohedral fluorine and trifluoromethyl derivatives for Td C28 fullerene C28F4–n(CF3)n (n = 0,1,2,3,4)

ABSTRACT: Stability and electronic property calculations are performed systematically based on density functional theory at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level for T_d C₂₈ fullerene and exohedral fluorine and trifluoromethyl derivatives C₂₈F_4–n(CF₃)_n (n = 0,1,2,3,4). All the exohedral derivatives that are on the potential energy surfaces are kinetically stable with large HOMO‐LUMO gaps. Further investigations show that binding energies of C₂₈F_4–n(CF₃)_n (n = 0,1,2,3,4) molecules are positive, suggesting they are thermodynamically stable. An analysis of the π‐orbital axis vector indicates the high strain in T_d C₂₈ cage could be greatly released by fluorine and trifluoromethyl decorations. Mulliken charge analysis reveals that adding different electron groups to the T_d C₂₈ cage can cause remarkably different charge populations. In addition, from the ionization potential and electron affinity investigations, the C₂₈F_4–n(CF₃)_n (n = 0,1,2,3,4) molecules manifest weak redox properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Amperometric determination of ascorbic acid on screen-printing ruthenium dioxide electrode

Ruthenium oxide (RuO₂) is commonly used in resistive pastes for screen printing. The electrochemical properties of a screen-printing planar RuO₂ electrode have hardly been studied. In this communication, planar electrochemical sensors with a RuO₂ working electrode, an Ag|AgCl reference electrode and a RuO₂ counter electrode are fabricated by screen printing. The electro-oxidation of ascorbic acid, uric acid, and hydrogen peroxide on these RuO₂ electrodes is investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry. Compared to uric acid and hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid can be easily oxidized at the low operating potential (<150 mV versus Ag|AgCl). The amperometric measurement of ascorbic acid at 100 mV on a RuO₂ electrode shows fast response and good linearity in the 0–4 mM range. Meanwhile, the electrochemical interference from uric acid and hydrogen peroxide at this potential is very small.     

Platelet Graphite Nanofibers for Electrochemical Sensing and Biosensing: The Influence of Graphene Sheet Orientation

Here, we demonstrate that platelet graphite nanofibers (PGNFs) exhibit fast heterogeneous electron‐transfer rates for a wide variety of compounds such as FeCl₃, ferrocyanide, dopamine, uric acid, ascorbic acid, and the reduced form of β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The electrochemical properties of PGNFs are superior to those of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or graphite microparticles (GMPs). Transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy reveal that this arises from the unique graphene sheet orientation of such platelet nanofibers, which accounts for their unparalleled high ratio of graphene edge planes versus basal planes.     

Nanoporous Carbon Materials for Electrochemical Sensing

Nanoporous carbon materials are highly important materials for a wide array of applications. Here we show that nanoporous carbon can act as highly active materials for electrochemical sensing. We observed that nanoporous carbon material exhibits a faster heterogeneous electron transfer than graphite and pure carbon nanotubes. Nanoporous carbon exhibits a superior electrochemical performance for sensing of important biomarkers such as dopamine, ascorbic acid, uric acid, NADH, DNA bases, and forensic‐related compounds such as nitroaromatic explosives.     

[6,6]‐Open and [6,6]‐Closed Isomers of C70(CF2): Synthesis,Electrochemical and Quantum Chemical Investigation

Novel difluoromethylenated [70]fullerene derivatives, C₇₀(CF₂)_n (n=1–3), were obtained by the reaction of C₇₀ with sodium difluorochloroacetate. Two major products, isomeric C₇₀(CF₂) mono‐adducts with [6,6]‐open and [6,6]‐closed configurations, were isolated and their homofullerene and methanofullerene structures were reliably determined by a variety of methods that included X‐ray analysis and high‐level spectroscopic techniques. The [6,6]‐open isomer of C₇₀(CF₂) constitutes the first homofullerene example of a non‐hetero [70]fullerene derivative in which functionalisation involves the most reactive bond in the polar region of the cage. Voltammetric estimation of the electron affinity of the C₇₀(CF₂) isomers showed that it is substantially higher for the [6,6]‐open isomer (the 70‐electron π‐conjugated system is retained) than the [6,6]‐closed form, the latter being similar to the electron affinity of pristine C₇₀. In situ ESR spectroelectrochemical investigation of the C₇₀(CF₂) radical anions and DFT calculations of the hyperfine coupling constants provide evidence for the first example of an inter‐conversion between the [6,6]‐closed and [6,6]‐open forms of a cage‐modified fullerene driven by an electrochemical one‐electron transfer. Thus, [6,6]‐closed C₇₀(CF₂) constitutes an interesting example of a redox‐switchable fullerene derivative.     

FeS2 Grown Pencil Graphite as an In‐expensive and Non‐enzymatic Sensor for Sensitive Detection of Uric Acid in Non‐invasive Samples

While most electrochemical uric acid (UA) sensors are developed on the conventional electrodes and involve either multiple steps based synthesis routes and/or complicated fabrication processes, this paper is the first demonstration of direct growth of pyrite FeS₂ on pencil‐graphite electrode (PGE) for non‐enzymatic UA sensing. FESEM images of the pyrite FeS₂‐PGE reveal mesoporous microspherical structure of pyrite FeS₂ along with graphite flakes of PGE and EDX, Raman spectroscopic data validate growing of pyrite FeS₂ on PGE. The pyrite FeS₂‐PGE sensor exhibited detection limit of 6.7 μM, excellent linearity, reproducibility, selectivity over glucose, urea, ascorbic acid with the sensitivity of 370 μA mM^?1 cm^?2 in the range of 10–725 μM of UA. These improved analytical performances can be attributed to high conductivity of the pyrite FeS₂, larger electro‐active surface area of the mesoporous microspherical pyrite FeS₂ grown on PGE (than only PGE) and abundance in defect sites originating from both the pyrite FeS₂ as well as functional groups of pencil graphite. Furthermore, the sensor was validated against UA in urine sample and the result supports well with the UA concentration achieved from colorimetric technique. Development of this low cost, non‐enzymatic, sensitive and highly selective pyrite FeS₂‐PGE bases UA sensor is a significant step in the development of practically viable sensors for point‐of‐care applications in clinical and pharmaceutical analyses.     

Reactions of Polyfluorinated Telomeric Alcohols with ε-Caprolactam

The possibility of preparing fluorinated oligomeric derivatives of -aminocaproic acid by reaction of polyfluorinated telomeric alcohols H(CF₂CF₂) _n CH₂OH (n = 1-4) with -caprolactam under conditions of homogeneous catalysis (triethylamine, dimethylformamide) was examined. The thermal stability of the oligomers was studied in relation to the fluorine content.     

Electrochemical preparation of graphite intercalation compounds containing a cyclic amide, [CF2(CF2SO2)2N]

Graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) containing the cyclo-hexafluoropropane-1,3-bis(sulfonyl)amide anion, [CF₂(CF₂SO₂)₂N]⁻, are prepared for the first time. Stages 2 and 3 GICs are obtained by electrochemical oxidation of graphite in a nitromethane electrolyte. Gallery heights of 0.85-0.86 nm are determined by powder X-ray diffraction, and the intercalate anion orientation within the intercalate galleries is modeled using an energy minimized anion structure. GIC compositions are determined by thermogravimetric, fluorine and nitrogen analyses. The chemical preparation and bifluoride displacement reactions are compared with a GIC containing the linear bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide anion, [(CF₃SO₂)₂N]⁻.     

Electrochemical Behaviors of Ascorbic Acid and Uric Acid in Ionic Liquid

Cyclic voltammetric measurements at platinum electrode have been carried out to investigate the electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid and uric acid in ionic liquid, [bmim][BF₄]. It is important that a typical redox couple of ascorbic acid was obtained and it is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid in [bmim][BF₄]. However, there is no electron-transfer for uric acid and no electrochemical oxidation carried out in the same ionic liquid. It provides a new way to eliminate the interfering between ascorbic acid and uric acid in the study of the electrochemical behaviors for them.     

Hydroboration of Graphene Oxide: Towards Stoichiometric Graphol and Hydroxygraphane

Covalently functionalized graphene materials with well‐defined stoichiometric composition are of a very high importance in the research of 2D carbon material family due to their well‐defined properties. Unfortunately, most of the contemporary graphene‐functionalized materials do not have this kind of defined composition and, usually, the amount of heteroatoms bonded to graphene framework is in the range of 1–10 at. %. Herein, we show that by a well‐established hydroboration reaction chain, which introduces ?BH₂ groups into the graphene oxide structure, followed by H₂O₂ or CF₃COOH treatment as source of ?OH or ?H, we can obtain highly hydroxylated compounds of precisely defined composition with a general formula (C₁O_0.78H_0.75)_n, which we named graphol and highly hydroxylated graphane (C₁(OH)_0.51H_0.14)_n, respectively. These highly functionalized materials with an accurately defined composition are highly important for the field of graphene derivatives. The enhanced electrochemical performance towards important biomarkers as well as hydrogen evolution reaction is demonstrated.     

Facile creation of superoleophobic and superhydrophilic surface by using perfluoropolyether dicarboxylic acid/silica nanocomposites

Perfluoropolyether dicarboxylic acid [HO(O?)CCF(CF₃){OCF₂CF(CF₃)}_nO(CF₂)₅O{CF(CF₃)CF₂O}_m―CF(CF₃)C(?O)OH; n + m = 6–12; PFPE‐DAcD] was applied to the preparation of PFPE‐DAcD/SiO₂ nanocomposites by the sol–gel reactions of the corresponding diacid with tetraethoxysilane in the presence of silica nanoparticles under alkaline conditions. PFPE‐DAcD/SiO₂ nanocomposites thus obtained were found to exhibit a good dispersibility and stability in not only water but also the traditional organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, 2‐propanol, tetrahydrofuran, and 1,2‐dichloroethane. Field emission scanning electron micrograph (FE‐SEM) and dynamic light‐scattering (DLS) measurements show that these fluorinated composites are nanometer size‐controlled very fine particles. Dodecane and water contact angle measurements on the modified glass, filter paper, and polyester fabric surfaces treated with these fluorinated nanocomposites were found to exhibit the superoleophobicity and superhydrophilicity. Especially, the modified polyester fabric swatch was applied to the oil/water separation to give the high separation efficiency. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interference‐Free Electrochemical Detection of Nanomolar Dopamine Using Doped Polypyrrole and Silver Nanoparticles

This paper presents a new approach to detect dopamine in nanomolar range using an electrochemical sensor utilizing a composite made of chitosan‐stabilized silver nanoparticles and p‐toluene sulfonic acid‐doped ultrathin polypyrrole film. Studies included cyclic voltammogram, amperometry, differential pulse voltammetry and also investigation by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A detection limit of 0.58 nM was achieved in the linear range 1×10^?9 M to 1.2×10^?7 M. High sensitivity towards DA, good reproducibility and long‐term stability have been demonstrated without interference from ascorbic acid, uric acid, epinephrine, L ‐dopa, glucose. The sensing system was successfully applied for quantitative determination of dopamine in commercially available human blood serum.     

CF_x-Ru复合阴极材料的制备及在锂一次电池中的应用（英文）

首次采用简单的原位化学改性方法合成了CFx-Ru复合阴极材料并应用于锂一次电池。与原始CFx材料相比,CFx-Ru在5C的放电倍率下放电容量、放电电压平台和最大功率密度可分别高达605 mAh·g^-1、2 V、8727 W·kg^-1。通过X射线衍射、X射线光电子能谱、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜对阴极材料结构、化学环境和形貌进行了研究。研究发现,在CFx-Ru复合材料中,nF/nC和C-F2键与C-F共价键的峰面积比都有所降低,这可能是由于RuO2与CFx材料表面或边缘的CF2惰性基团反应所致。这种原位化学反应消耗了非活性的CF2,产生了导电元素钌,并由于气相产物的演化而增加了比表面积。这些特性有助于改善阴极材料的电化学性能。电化学阻抗谱和N2吸附-脱附测试结果也进一步证实了改性材料拥有较大的比表面积和优异的电导率。