Comparative Electroanalytical Studies of Graphite Flake and Multilayer Graphene Paste Electrodes.

Natalia Festinger,Magdalena Ziąbka,Vladimir Ivanovski,Kamila Morawska,Sylwia Smarzewska,Katarzyna Jedlińska,Witold Ciesielski

doi:10.3390/s20061684

Abstract

In this paper, the fabrication, surface characterisation and electrochemical properties of graphite flake (GFPE) and multilayer graphene (MLGPE) paste electrodes are described. The Raman investigations and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze and compare structure of both carbon materials. The electroanalytical performance of both electrodes was examined and compared on the basis of the square-wave and cyclic voltammetric behavior of acetaminophen and model redox systems. Results of those studies revealed that GFPE has a larger electroactive surface area and better conductive properties, whilst MLGPE demonstrate better analytical characteristic in case of acetaminophen (AC) determination. AC determination was developed using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and square wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV). For both working electrodes, the process of accumulation enabled us to obtain an extended linear range and to lower the detection limit. In pharmaceutical formulations, AC was determined with good recovery.

Highlights

Electrochemical studies were carried out using μAutolab Type III (Metrohm Autolab B.V., Utrecht, Netherlands) controlled by the GPES program and a M164 electrode stand with a three-electrode system consisting of Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L−1 KCl) as a reference electrode, Pt wire as an auxiliary electrode, and a carbon paste electrode (GFPE or multilayer graphene (MLGPE)) as a working electrode
To make the CPEs GFPE and MLGPE, 300 μL of paraffin oil was mixed with 1.0 g of graphite flakes and multilayer graphene, respectively
Cyclic voltammetry (CV) is a valuable technique used to compare the electrochemical properties of various electrodes

Summary

Introduction

Diamond, and graphite were the only known forms of carbon [1], until fullerenes were discovered in 1985 [2]. It initiated an increasing interest in carbon forms, leading to the discovery of carbon nanotubes [3,4] and graphene [5]. The properties of diamond, graphite, or graphene show that every form of the carbon element is different and each has its own unique characteristic [1]. Many known forms of carbon can be used for the production of paste electrodes, for example, synthetic graphite, glassy carbon or multi-walled carbon nanotubes [8,9,10]

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