Graphite sheet (GS) electrodes are flexible and versatile substrates for sensing electrochemical; however, their use has been limited to incorporate (bio)chemical modifiers. Herein, we demonstrated that a cold (low temperature) CO plasma treatment of GS electrodes provides a substantial improvement of the electrochemical activity of these electrodes due to the increased structural defects on the GS surface as revealed by Raman spectroscopy (I/I ratio), and scanning electron microscopy images. XPS analyses confirmed the formation of oxygenated functional groups at the GS surface after the plasma treatment that are intrinsically related to the substantial increase in the electron transfer coefficient (K values increased from 1.46 × 10 to 2.09 × 10 cm s) and with reduction of the resistance to charge transfer (from 129.8 to 0.251 kΩ). The improved electrochemical activity of CO-GS electrodes was checked for the detection of emerging contaminant species, such as chloramphenicol (CHL), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and sulphanilamide (SUL) antibiotics, at around + 0.15, + 1.10 and + 0.85 V (versus Ag/AgCl), respectively, by square wave voltammetry. Limit of detection values in the submicromolar range were achieved for CHL (0.08 μmol L), CIP (0.01 μmol L) and SFL (0.11 μmol L), which enabled the sensor to be successfully applied to natural waters and urine samples (recovery values from 85 to 119%). The CO-GS electrode is highly stable and inexpensive ($0.09 each sensor) and can be easily inserted in portable 3D printed cells for environmental on-site analyses.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-05953-2 | DOI Listing |
J Am Chem Soc
January 2025
School of Materials, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
Hexagonal diamond (HD) was reported 60 years ago and has attracted extensive attention owing to its ultrahigh theoretical hardness, 58% superior to its cubic counterpart. However, to date, synthesizing pure HD under high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) remains unsuccessful due to the limitations of understanding the formation mechanism. In this work, employing a systematic molecular dynamics simulation, we directly observe the graphite-to-HD transition in a nucleation-growth mechanism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
December 2024
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Colloidal properties of nanoparticles are intricately linked to their morphology. Traditionally, achieving high-concentration dispersions of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets has proven challenging as they tend to agglomerate or re-stack under increased surface contact and Van der Waals attraction. Here, we unveil an excluded volume effect enabled by 2D morphology, which can be coupled with electrostatic repulsion to synthesize high-concentration aqueous graphene dispersions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeliyon
December 2024
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China.
Graphene and its derivatives are widely used in various fields due to their unique two-dimensional lamellar structure. This study aims to synthesize ultra-large graphene oxide (GO) sheets from natural flake graphite and investigate the factors influencing their size. Using a two-intercalation method based on the modified Hummers' method, we address the challenge of intercalating large-diameter graphene oxide by employing a secondary intercalation technique.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChemistry
December 2024
Lanzhou University, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou Tianshui south street 222, 730000, Lanzhou, CHINA.
Dual single-atom catalysts have attracted considerable research interest due to their higher metal atom loading and more flexible active sites compared to single-atom catalysts (SACs). We pioneered the one-step synthesis of sheets copper-cobalt graphitic carbon nitride dual single-atom (S-Cu/Co-g-C3N4) using folding fan-shaped aluminum foil as a template, and used them as catalysts in the epoxidation of styrene respectively. Through XAFS(X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) and other characterizations, it is found that Cu and Co single atoms are stabilized separately on g-C3N4 via coordination with nitrogen (N), hindered the ordered growth of sheets, and formed more pore structures, which not only increased more catalytically active sites, but also effectively prevented the flakes re-aggregate during the catalytic process.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Res
December 2024
Department of Textile Technology, National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, 144008, India.
Nickel MOF (Ni-MOF) nanoparticles were successfully anchored onto a polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) and Chitosan nanostructure (NS) using an eco-friendly and straightforward synthesis method. These newly fabricated photocatalysts were thoroughly characterized with standard techniques, revealing that the nanoscale Ni-MOF particles were uniformly deposited on the sheet-like g-CN matrix. This configuration demonstrated excellent antimicrobial properties and outstanding photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride under visible light exposure.
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