Graphene: The cutting–edge interaction between chemistry and electrochemistry

doi:10.1016/j.trac.2013.12.008

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry

Volume 56, April 2014, Pages 13-26

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2013.12.008 Get rights and content

Highlights

•
Graphene: terminology, synthesis and characterization.
•
Recent applications of graphene in electrochemistry.
•
Chemical interaction between graphene and target molecules.

Abstract

With the discovery of novel nanomaterials, electrochemistry is living a true Renaissance and graphene is its novel and central promise. This conceptual review includes a clear and straightforward scheme for terminology and properties, synthesis and characterization processes to obtain not only “true” graphene but also some chemical variants, such as graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and graphene nanoribbons (GNR). Reviewing all these concepts, we explore the electrochemical applications of these graphenes, considering the chemical interaction between graphene and the target molecules explored.

Section snippets

What does graphene stand for?

Recently, after Geim et al. achieved by a simple technique [1] the isolation of graphene sheets, this new nanomaterial attracted special interest in the scientific community. Graphene is a two-dimensional (2-D) sheet of carbon atoms bonded by sp² bonds. This configuration provides this material with extraordinary properties, such as large surface area, theoretically 2630 m²/g for a single layer [2], and double that of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). It also shows excellent thermal (k = 5 ×

Graphene: synthesis and electrochemistry

Despite being a material with plenty of properties [8], just two – the large surface area and the high electrical conductivity are the most relevant properties for electrochemical applications.

Comparison between two of the most important carbon allotropes [i.e., SWCNTs (1-D) and graphene (2-D)], shows the following advantages for the 2-D material compared to 1-D [9]. Compared with CNTs, graphene exhibits several advantages, such as lower costs, larger surface area and easier processing.

Analytical characterization of graphene

After synthesis, the material needs to be characterized, and there is a wide range of techniques [36], [37], [38], to obtain reliable, complete analytical information about the morphological, physical and chemical structures. Table 3 summarizes the main techniques involved in graphene characterization.

Microscopy techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), are required to evaluate morphological aspects. SEM

Graphene chemistry behind the electrochemistry for sensing and biosensing

Recently, we read one opinion that we firmly support – Electroanalysis is going through a true Renaissance due to the discovery of novel nanomaterials [51]. After the appearance of CNTs, which evolved nanotechnology, graphene is the novelty in electroanalysis. Lots of target molecules of high significance in diverse fields are electroactive, so their electrochemical detection has been enhanced because nanomaterials offer excellent selectivity and sensitivity in direct detection without the need

Outlook and perspectives

This review provides the reader with a complete overview and realistic perspectives about synthesis, characterization and applications of graphene for improved electrochemical sensing and biosensing. Terminology in the field of graphenes is clearly explained to avoid misunderstanding because the term “graphene” refers to multiple materials. A complete analytical characterization of graphene is crucial to know the morphology and the structure of the synthesized material.

Interestingly, this

Acknowledgements

Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CTQ2011-28135) and the AVANSENS program of the Community of Madrid (P2009/PPQ-1642) are gratefully acknowledged. D. Aida Martin acknowledges the FPU Fellowship received from Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.

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ReviewGraphene: The cutting–edge interaction between chemistry and electrochemistry

Highlights

Abstract

Section snippets

What does graphene stand for?

Graphene: synthesis and electrochemistry

Analytical characterization of graphene

Graphene chemistry behind the electrochemistry for sensing and biosensing

Outlook and perspectives

Acknowledgements

Nano Today

Electrochem. Commun.

TrAC, Trends Anal. Chem.

Surf. Sci.

Prog. Mater Sci.

Solid State Commun.

Carbon

Carbon

Int. J. Electrochem. Sci.

Carbon

Electrochem. Commun.

Biosens. Bioelectron.

Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev.

Chem. Phys. Lett.

Electrochem. Commun.

J. Hazard. Mater.

Colloids Surf. B

Sens. Actuators, B

J. Taiwan Inst. Chem. Eng.

Biosens. Bioelectron.

J. Electroanal. Chem.

Electrochem. Commun.

Biosens. Bioelectron.

J. Electroanal. Chem.

Electrochem. Commun.

Electrochim. Acta

Int. J. Electrochem. Sci.

Talanta

Talanta

Biosens. Bioelectron.

Electrochem. Commun.

Anal. Chim. Acta

Electrochim. Acta

Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films

Science

Graphene-based composite materials

Nature

Chemical methods for the production of graphenes

Nat. Nanotechnol.

Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene

Science

Fifty years in studying carbon-based materials

Phys. Scr.

Carbon nanomaterials in biosensors: should you use nanotubes or graphene?

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.

Graphene electrochemistry: fundamental concepts through to prominent applications

Chem. Soc. Rev.

Graphene-based nanomaterials and their electrochemistry

Chem. Soc. Rev.

Electrochemistry at chemically modified graphenes

Chem. Eur. J.

Nanographite impurities dominate electrochemistry of carbon nanotubes

Chem. Eur. J.

Carbon nanotubes contain metal impurities which are responsible for the “electrocatalysis” seen at some nanotube-modified electrodes

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.

A novel mechanical cleavage method for synthesizing few-layer graphenes

Nanoscale Res. Lett.

Graphite nanoplatelet-epoxy composite thermal interface materials

J. Phys. Chem. C

High-throughput synthesis of graphene by intercalation – exfoliation of graphite oxide and study of ionic screening in graphene transistor

ACS Nano

Large area, few-layer graphene films on arbitrary substrates by chemical vapor deposition

Nano Lett.

The chemistry of graphene oxide

Chem. Soc. Rev.

Preparation of graphitic oxide

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

Review
Graphene: The cutting–edge interaction between chemistry and electrochemistry