Electrochemical Characterization of Graphene-like Materials Obtained By Electrochemical Exfoliation of Graphite
Authors: LEI Yuting , Ossonon Benjamin , Perreault Jonathan , Tavares Ana C 
Published: May 2020

Graphene and its derivatives have been widely used in electrochemical sensors due to their unique properties, including high electron conductivity and large surface area [
1
], which are expected to significantly improve the sensitivity of sensors. With oxygen functional groups located at the edge and at the surface of the graphene sheets, graphene oxides exhibit better dispersion in water, biocompatibility, and higher affinity for specific molecules than graphene. [
2
-
3
] The electrochemical exfoliation of graphite in aqueous solution is a fast and easy method to obtain large amounts (1-2 g) of graphene oxide materials with tunable composition[
4
]. In this respect, it is necessary to investigate the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of electrochemically exfoliated graphene oxide (EGO) in order to choose the most suitable material to be used in electrochemical sensors.
Here, we report a simple and facile method for the electrochemical characterization of a series of EGOs produced by electrochemical exfoliation of graphite [
4
] under different experimental conditions (electrolyte, applied potential difference, and thermal treatment). First, the EGOs were sonicated in water for three hours to obtain a uniform dispersion. Then, the EGO sheets were successfully assembled on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) through an aminophenyl-film linker (AP) by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged amine groups and the negatively charged EGO sheets, and through the pi-pi stacking as well, Figure 1. [
5
] The electrodes modified with the EGOs (EGO/AP/GCE) were electrochemically characterized by cyclic voltammetry with 1 mM [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox couple, Figure 1, to determine the electrochemical surface area (ESA) through the Randles-Sevcik equation and to calculate the standard rate constant of electron transfer (k°) by the Nicolson method [
6
]. As a result, the synthesis conditions leading to the EGO with the highest electrochemical surface area and the highest standard rate constant were identified. Finally, the electrochemical response of the EGO materials was correlated to their chemical composition and structural defects determined by X-ray photoelectron (at%Oxygenated-C/at%C) and Raman (ID/IG) spectroscopies, respectively. Both of the ESA and k° show a Vulcano dependence with the potential difference applied during the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. The origin behind these trends will be presented and discussed.
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Figure 1