Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials

A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 22512

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 2155/3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: electrochemistry; in situ Raman spectroelectrochemistry; graphene; doped diamond; porous materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanocarbon-based materials have attracted great attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties, especially in the field of electrochemical energy conversion/storage applications (dye-sensitized or perovskite solar cells, supercapacitors, rechargeable batteries), but also in electronic devices, electroanalytical, medical, and biological applications. Carbon nanostructures are complicated systems whose electrochemical behavior on the electrode–electrolyte interface is significantly affected by many factors, such as carbon hybridization (sp2: carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerenes, or sp3: nanodiamonds), type and number of defects, surface termination associated with different wettability (hydrogen or oxygen terminated surface), conductivity (quasi-metallic or semiconducting), porosity (from nonporous to highly porous structures), and crystallinity. It is very important to keep in mind that for the correct determination of the electrochemical properties of these carbon materials, it is necessary to take into account all these structural, physical, and chemical factors together. Currently, one very attractive approach to increasing the specific capacity of carbon-based electrodes required in electrochemical capacitors, for example, is the controlled enlargement of their specific surface area, which is connected with an increase in electrochemically active sites.

This Special Issue is focused on the current state of the art in the electrochemistry of nanocarbon-based materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, doped diamond, as well as on the fundamental (potentiostatic or galvanostatic methods, impedance spectroscopy) and advanced in situ electrochemical methods (Raman spectroelectrochemistry, electrochemical AFM or TERS) used for characterization in aqueous or aprotic media. Novel preparation methods of carbon materials with well-defined structures having controlled specific capacity, new surface chemistry approaches, as well as possible applications connected with their unique electrochemical performances are also welcome.

Dr. Zuzana Vlckova Zivcova
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • graphene
  • carbon nanotubes
  • doped diamond
  • porous nanocarbon based electrodes
  • electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  • in situ electrochemistry

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 2378 KiB  
Article
Superior Rate Capability of High Mass Loading Supercapacitors Fabricated with Carbon Recovered from Methane Cracking
by Joana Baptista, Jack Shacklock, Muhammad Shaban, Anas Alkayal, Killian Lobato and Upul Wijayantha
Inorganics 2023, 11(8), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11080316 - 27 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1756
Abstract
High mass loading (ca. 30 mg/cm2) electrodes were prepared with carbon recovered from catalytic methane cracking (MC). As-fabricated supercapacitors displayed 74% of capacitance retention from 6 mA/cm2 to 60 mA/cm2 and a Ragone plot’s slope of −7 Wh/kW (compared [...] Read more.
High mass loading (ca. 30 mg/cm2) electrodes were prepared with carbon recovered from catalytic methane cracking (MC). As-fabricated supercapacitors displayed 74% of capacitance retention from 6 mA/cm2 to 60 mA/cm2 and a Ragone plot’s slope of −7 Wh/kW (compared to 42% and −31 Wh/kW, respectively, for high mass loading devices fabricated with commercial carbon). The high-rate capability of the MC-recovered carbon is attributed to the presence of carbon black and carbon nanotubes produced during the reaction, which likely increased the electronic and ionic conductivity within the electrode. These results suggest that the by-product of this hydrogen generation route might be a suitable active material for supercapacitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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11 pages, 4778 KiB  
Article
CVD Graphene Electrode for Direct Electrochemical Detection of Double-Stranded DNA
by Afrah Bardaoui, Asma Hammami, Rabiaa Elkarous, Mohamed Ali Aloui, Rania Oueslati, Olfa Messaoud, Diogo M. F. Santos and Radhouane Chtourou
Inorganics 2023, 11(4), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11040173 - 20 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1987
Abstract
Understanding and regulating DNA interactions with solvents and redox-active centers opens up new possibilities for improving electrochemical signals and developing adequate biosensors. This work reports the development of a modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of graphene for [...] Read more.
Understanding and regulating DNA interactions with solvents and redox-active centers opens up new possibilities for improving electrochemical signals and developing adequate biosensors. This work reports the development of a modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of graphene for the detection of double-stranded DNA. The modified electrode shows a better electrical conductivity than ITO, as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), where a drastic decrease in the charge–transfer resistance, Rct, from ~320 to ~60 Ω was observed. Sequences of double-stranded genomic DNA with a different number of base pairs are evaluated through differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), using ferri/ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]3−/4−) as a mediator in the solution. Variations in the electrochemical response of the [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− probe are observed after introducing redox inactive double-stranded DNA ions. The redox-active [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− probe serves as a scaffold to bring DNA into the graphene-modified ITO electrode surface, provoking an increase in the current and a change in the potential when the number of base pairs increases. These results are confirmed by EIS, which shows a variation in the Rct. The calibration of DPV intensity and Rct vs. DNA base pairs (bps) number were linear in the 495–607 bps range. The proposed method could replace the nucleic acid gel electrophoresis technique to determine the presence of a DNA fragment and quantify its size. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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12 pages, 3277 KiB  
Article
Ce–Metal–Organic Framework-Derived CeO2–GO: An Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
by Patnamsetty Chidanandha Nagajyothi, Krishnapuram Pavani, Rajavaram Ramaraghavulu and Jaesool Shim
Inorganics 2023, 11(4), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11040161 - 11 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2163
Abstract
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a crucial half-reaction in water splitting. However, this reaction is kinetically sluggish owing to the four-electron (4 e) transfer process. Therefore, the development of low-cost, stable, highly efficient, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the OER is [...] Read more.
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a crucial half-reaction in water splitting. However, this reaction is kinetically sluggish owing to the four-electron (4 e) transfer process. Therefore, the development of low-cost, stable, highly efficient, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the OER is highly desirable. Metal oxides derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the most efficient electrocatalysts for the OER. Herein, Ce–MOF-derived CeO2/graphene oxide (GO) composites were successfully prepared using a facile method. The composites with 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg GO were named CeO2, CeO2–GO-1, CeO2–GO-2, and CeO2–GO-3, respectively. The physicochemical characteristics of the electrocatalysts were assessed using several analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The TEM results revealed that the CeO2 had a sheet-like morphology and that a GO layer was noticeable in the synthesized CeO2–GO-3 composite. The characterization results confirmed the formation of impurity-free CeO2–GO composites. The OER activity and stability were measured using cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), chronoamperometry (CA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CeO2–GO-3 electrocatalyst has a smaller Tafel slope (176 mV·dec−1) and lower overpotential (240 mV) than the other electrocatalysts. In addition, it exhibited high cyclic stability for up to 10 h. Therefore, the inexpensive CeO2–GO-3 electrocatalyst is a promising OER candidate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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16 pages, 3563 KiB  
Article
Electrochemical Performance of Potassium Bromate Active Electrolyte for Laser-Induced KBr-Graphene Supercapacitor Electrodes
by Nagih M. Shaalan, Faheem Ahmed, Shalendra Kumar, Mohamad M. Ahmad, Abdullah F. Al-Naim and D. Hamad
Inorganics 2023, 11(3), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11030109 - 8 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1973
Abstract
In this paper, we have reported a low-concentration active electrolyte of KBrO3 for the supercapacitor’s application. The electrochemical processes were carried out in two concentrations of KBrO3 with 0.2 and 0.4 M. Additionally, we have reported a novel strategy for doping [...] Read more.
In this paper, we have reported a low-concentration active electrolyte of KBrO3 for the supercapacitor’s application. The electrochemical processes were carried out in two concentrations of KBrO3 with 0.2 and 0.4 M. Additionally, we have reported a novel strategy for doping graphene during its fabrication process with a potassium bromide (KBr) solution. The chemical doping of graphene with KBr improved the electrochemical properties of graphene used as supercapacitors. HRTEM images confirmed the multi-layer graphene obtained by CO2 laser based on polyimide. The effect of KBr on the graphene lattice has been studied using Raman spectroscopy. The two electrodes of graphene and KBr-doped graphene were subjected to the electrochemical properties study as a supercapacitor by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques. The results exhibited the successful method of graphene doping and the stability of using KBrO3 as a suitable electrolyte for electrochemical processes with this lower molarity. The specific capacitance of the pristine graphene capacitor in 0.2 M of KBrO3 was 33 Fg−1, while this value increased up to 70 Fg−1 for KBr-doped graphene in 0.4 M of KBrO3. The specific capacity in mAhg−1 has also increased twofold. The results exhibited the possibility of using KBrO3 as an electrolyte. The supercapacitor performance almost showed good stability in the life cycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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14 pages, 2690 KiB  
Article
Screening of Carbon-Supported Platinum Electrocatalysts Using Frumkin Adsorption Isotherms
by Ruslan M. Mensharapov, Dmitry D. Spasov, Nataliya A. Ivanova, Adelina A. Zasypkina, Sergey A. Smirnov and Sergey A. Grigoriev
Inorganics 2023, 11(3), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11030103 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2405
Abstract
An important stage in the development of platinum electrocatalysts on carbon support is the analysis of their basic parameters. Cyclic voltammetry is an effective tool for analyzing the structural and electrochemical properties of such electrocatalysts. Using Frumkin adsorption isotherms, the contribution of the [...] Read more.
An important stage in the development of platinum electrocatalysts on carbon support is the analysis of their basic parameters. Cyclic voltammetry is an effective tool for analyzing the structural and electrochemical properties of such electrocatalysts. Using Frumkin adsorption isotherms, the contribution of the platinum surface to the hydrogen adsorption region was well described by three peaks corresponding to different crystal structures. The screening was carried out for platinum black and platinum electrocatalysts supported by carbon black, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and nanofibers (CNFs). For most samples, the peak contribution to the electrochemical surface area (ESA) and corresponding hydrogen adsorption energies had close values, but the parameters deviated for Pt black and RGO-based samples was observed. The dependence of the calculated peak parameters on the number of accelerated stress test cycles was used to evaluate the effect of the type of carbon support on the stability of the electrocatalyst and the structure of platinum nanoparticles. The experimental results indicate a high degree of stability and differences in the degradation mechanisms of electrocatalysts based on nanostructured carbon compared to carbon black, which are explained by differences in the metal-support interaction and corrosion resistance of nanostructured carbon supports. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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11 pages, 7219 KiB  
Article
High-Capacity Ion Batteries Based on Ti2C MXene and Borophene First Principles Calculations
by Dmitry A. Kolosov and Olga E. Glukhova
Inorganics 2023, 11(3), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11030095 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2510
Abstract
In this paper, we report an ab initio study of a composite material based on Ti2C and borophene B12 as an anode material for magnesium-ion batteries. The adsorption energy of Mg, specific capacitance, electrical conductivity, diffusion barriers, and open-circuit voltage [...] Read more.
In this paper, we report an ab initio study of a composite material based on Ti2C and borophene B12 as an anode material for magnesium-ion batteries. The adsorption energy of Mg, specific capacitance, electrical conductivity, diffusion barriers, and open-circuit voltage for composite materials are calculated as functions of Mg concentration. It is found that the use of Ti2C as a substrate for borophene B12 is energetically favorable; the binding energy of Ti2C with borophene is −1.87 eV/atom. The translation vectors of Ti2C and borophene B12 differ by no more than 4% for in the X direction, and no more than 0.5% in the Y direction. The adsorption energy of Mg significantly exceeds the cohesive energy for bulk Mg. The energy barrier for the diffusion of Mg on the surface of borophene B12 is ~262 meV. When the composite surface is completely covered with Mg ions, the specific capacity is 662.6 mAh g−1 at an average open-circuit voltage of 0.55 V (relative to Mg/Mg+). The effect of reducing the resistance of borophene B12 upon its binding to Ti2C is established. The resulting electrical conductivity of the composite Ti16C8B40 is 3.7 × 105 S/m, which is three times higher than the electrical conductivity of graphite. Thus, a composite material based on Ti2C and borophene B12 is a promising anode material for magnesium-ion batteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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13 pages, 4319 KiB  
Article
Hydrothermal Synthesis of MnO2/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite for 4-Nitrophenol Sensing Applications
by Praveen Kumar, Mohd Quasim Khan, Rais Ahmad Khan, Khursheed Ahmad and Haekyoung Kim
Inorganics 2022, 10(12), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics10120219 - 24 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2721
Abstract
Recently, the electrochemical sensing approach has attracted materials/electrochemical scientists to design and develop electrode materials for the construction of electrochemical sensors for the detection of para-nitrophenol (4-NP). In the present study, we have prepared a hybrid composite of MnO2 and rGO (MnO [...] Read more.
Recently, the electrochemical sensing approach has attracted materials/electrochemical scientists to design and develop electrode materials for the construction of electrochemical sensors for the detection of para-nitrophenol (4-NP). In the present study, we have prepared a hybrid composite of MnO2 and rGO (MnO2/rGO) using a hydrothermal approach. The morphological features of the prepared MnO2/rGO composite were studied by scanning electron microscopy, whereas the phase purity and formation of the MnO2/rGO composite were authenticated via the powder X-ray diffraction method. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was also employed to analyze the elemental composition of the prepared MnO2/rGO composite. In further studies, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with MnO2/rGO composite (MnO2/rGO/GCE) and explored as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) sensor. The fabricated MnO2/rGO/GCE exhibited a reasonably good limit of detection of 0.09 µM with a sensitivity of 0.657 µA/µMcm2. The MnO2/rGO/GCE also demonstrates good selectivity, stability and repeatability in 50 cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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11 pages, 5602 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Sulfur-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode (S@rGO/GCE) Based Acetaminophen Sensor
by Mohd Quasim Khan, Praveen Kumar, Rais Ahmad Khan, Khursheed Ahmad and Haekyoung Kim
Inorganics 2022, 10(12), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics10120218 - 24 Nov 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1964
Abstract
In the past few years, the design and fabrication of highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors have received enormous attention from electrochemists. Acetaminophen is an important drug that is used as an antipyretic and analgesic drug throughout the world. It is important to [...] Read more.
In the past few years, the design and fabrication of highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors have received enormous attention from electrochemists. Acetaminophen is an important drug that is used as an antipyretic and analgesic drug throughout the world. It is important to monitor the accurate amount of acetaminophen. Herein, we have prepared sulfur-doped reduced graphene oxide (S@rGO) using simple strategies. The morphological feature of the S@rGO was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy whereas phase purity and formation of S@rGO were authenticated by X-ray diffraction. Further, the glassy carbon electrode was modified using S@rGO as an electrode modifier and employed as an acetaminophen sensor (S@rGO/GCE). This modified sensor (S@rGO/GCE) demonstrates a reasonable detection limit of 0.07 µM and a sensitivity of 0.957 µA/µMcm2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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Review

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28 pages, 6790 KiB  
Review
Graphene-Based Electrochemical Nano-Biosensors for Detection of SARS-CoV-2
by Joydip Sengupta and Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain
Inorganics 2023, 11(5), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics11050197 - 1 May 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3839
Abstract
COVID-19, a viral respiratory illness, is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide. Testing and isolation were essential to control the virus’s transmission due to the severity [...] Read more.
COVID-19, a viral respiratory illness, is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide. Testing and isolation were essential to control the virus’s transmission due to the severity of the disease. In this context, there is a global interest in the feasibility of employing nano-biosensors, especially those using graphene as a key material, for the real-time detection of the virus. The exceptional properties of graphene and the outstanding performance of nano-biosensors in identifying various viruses prompted a feasibility check on this technology. This paper focuses on the recent advances in using graphene-based electrochemical biosensors for sensing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Specifically, it reviews various types of electrochemical biosensors, including amperometric, potentiometric, and impedimetric biosensors, and discusses the current challenges associated with biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The conclusion of this review discusses future directions in the field of electrochemical biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection, underscoring the importance of continued research and development in this domain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Study of Nanocarbon Based Materials)
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