Copper-coated graphite electrodes for the facile preparation of copper oxide particles anchored on functionalized holey graphene sheets

Abstract

Functionalizing graphene with sulfur can enhance its electrical and electrochemical properties. Furthermore, generation of pores in graphene nanosheets could create suitable channels for the transfer of electrons/ions, and consequently, could provide easier access to the interior of graphene sheets with long aspect ratio. Moreover, metal oxide particles, especially copper oxides, anchored on graphene sheets have a wide range of applications. However, most of the reported procedures for the preparation of copper oxide/graphene composites are two-step and time-consuming. This study reports a fast, facile and cost-effective two-step approach for the preparation of copper oxide particles anchored on sulfur-functionalized holey graphene sheets. Copper-coated graphite electrodes were used for the first time as the electrodes for the electrochemical preparation of graphene, followed by a hydrothermal treatment to create holes in graphene sheets. The structural and morphological evaluations indicated that the electrochemical exfoliation of copper-coated graphite electrodes had led to the decoration of cubic CuO nanoparticles on the surface of sulphur-functionalized graphene sheets. Finally, the hydrothermal process resulted in the formation of holey graphene and the reduction of CuO to Cu2O with its shape evolution from cubic to rod-like.