Synthesis and modification of reduced graphene oxide aerogels for biofuel cell applications

Abstract

We have carried out the preparation of reduced graphene oxide aerogels using eco-friendly method that is based on the Hummers method of graphite oxidation without the use of NaNO 3 that produces toxic gases. To obtain a porous 3D structure of reduced graphene oxide, we performed the hydrothermal reduction at elevated temperature. We also prepared the rGO aerogel/CNT composite using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as linkers. The rGO aerogels are promising materials as they possess good electrical conductivity (up to 100 S/m) and high surface area and porous structure (∼500 m 2 /g). The main goal was to obtain the material for electrodes in enzymatic biofuel cells. Thus, the proper modification was performed using free radical functionalization. It was shown that in order to synthesize rGO aerogels modified with anthracene, the proper order of reactions needs to be provided. The morphology of anthracene modified electrodes was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, which confirmed their porous structure with non-uniform pore size distribution that ranged between few nanometers to microns. Data obtained by Raman spectroscopy confirmed the successful oxidation and reduction of analyzed materials. UV-Vis spectra revealed the presence of anthracene moieties in examined materials. We also recorded preliminary cyclic voltammograms that confirm an electric conductivity of the obtained structures.

Biofuel Cell Based on Carbon Fiber Electrodes Functionalized with Graphene Nanosheets

“…Graphene-based electrodes modified with bioelectrocatalytic enzymes have been tested for their use in biofuel cells. [6][7][8][9] Following our recent activity in preparing implantable biofuel cells operating in vivo, [10][11] we assembled a biofuel cell using graphene-modified electrodes. The present paper reports on preliminary results demonstrating non-mediated electron transport between immobilized enzymes and graphene-modified electrodes potentially applicable in future implantable bioelectronics devices.…”

Electrochemical Decoration of Additively Manufactured Graphene Macroelectrodes with MoO2 Nanowires: An Approach to Demonstrate the Surface Morphology

“…Each of the Raman spectra obtained in this study revealed carbonaceous characteristic peaks, commonly referred to as the G and 2D (G’) bands at ca. 1580 and 2690 cm –1 , respectively. − The spectra obtained in this study revealed that the graphene component of the AM-G M s was composed of multilayer graphene sheets, which were evidenced in the highly symmetrical 2D (G’) band peak. Furthermore, there was a distinct lack of the characteristic “shoulder”, which was observed in the case of graphite. , The large D band that was prominent in the Raman spectra indicated a high number of edge plane-like sites .…”

“…Each of the Raman spectra obtained in this study revealed carbonaceous characteristic peaks, commonly referred to as the G and 2D (G') bands at ca. 1580 cm -1 and 2690 cm -1 , respectively [30][31][32][33][34] . The spectra obtained in this study revealed that the graphene component of the AM-GMs was comprised of multi-layer graphene sheets, which was evidenced in the highly symmetrical 2D (G') band peak.…”

The Effect of Carbon/Oxygen Ratio upon Structure-Property Relationships in Polymer/Graphene Nanocomposites

“…The relative intensity ratio between D and G peaks in the rGO sample is smaller than in the GO sample, indicating that rGO and G have less disorder. The C-C stretching vibration region (1300 to 1650 cm -1 ) and the C-H bending in-plane vibration region (1000 to 1500 cm -1 ) for rGO, however, overlap with graphene modes [31]. Apparently, in Fig 9, the Raman spectrum of the pristine graphene shows an intensive G-band at ~1584 cm -1 .…”