An easy and cost effective route for mass production of graphene nanosheets (GNSs) is an essential requirement for design of different sensors, conductive composites and future nanoelectronic devices. Scalable and large area GNSs were synthesized by a thermal treatment of a graphite-ionic liquid crystal composite as a starting material. This composite was heated in a furnace with a flow of argon gas at 700 C for 1 h. Intercalation of ionic liquid crystals between graphite layers, their decomposition and evolution of gases assist in exfoliation of graphite and separation of layers. The proposed method extends the scope for production of high-quality, high-yield, unoxidized and defects free GNSs for a wide range of applications. The ability to produce bulk GNSs from a graphitic precursor with an easy and relatively low-cost approach can propel us to real-world applications of GNSs.
Ultra-thin and large gold nanosheets were easily synthesized by using a deep eutectic solvent as a reducing and directing agent with gum arabic as a stabilizer and shape-controlling agent through a seed-less protocol.
Electrocatalysis of the oxidation of formaldehyde on silver‐palladium‐modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (AgPd/CILE) was investigated in 0.1 M NaOH. The electrochemical performance of the AgPd/CILE was compared with those of Pd/CILE and Ag/CILE. Ag plays an important role in the catalytic performance of AgPd nanocatalyst and yields an excellent antifouling effect. Amperometric measurements showed that AgPd/CILE is a promising sensor for the detection of formaldehyde in the range of 10.0 µM–70.0 mM with a sensitivity of 240.6 µA mM−1 cm−2 and a detection limit of 2 µM. The method is free from interference of methanol, ethanol and formic acid.
Thermotropic ionic liquid crystals (ILCs), 1,1′-dialkyl-4,4′-bipyridinium bis(triflimide)s have been used as binders to fabricate new carbon composite electrodes. ILC compounds possess an ordered molecular orientation, and upon mixing with graphite, ILCs retain their liquid crystal characteristics and thus their ordered arrangement. The electrochemical performances of these composite electrodes were evaluated by using different electrochemical probes. The resulting electrodes offer high electrochemical reactivity, low background current, improved signal-to-noise ratio, greater stability, excellent mechanical strength, and very good antifouling effects. It is believed that the higher conductivity of ILCs as well as the ordered orientation of these thermotropic ILCs which cause an increase in the edge-plane sites of these composite electrodes are responsible for the promotion of their electrocatalytic activities and antifouling effects. Such characteristics make these composite electrodes ideal for use in different electrochemical and biosensing applications.
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