Effect of substrate material on electrochemical properties of graphene electrode

Abstract

In this project, the objective was to investigate electrochemical properties of graphene electrodes and graphene oxide(GO) formed on Si, SiO2 and glassy carbon substrates. A simple and very inexpensive process of graphene formation on Si,SiO2 and glassy carbon substrates by depositing graphene oxide solution on the substrates to dry off. Followed by the oxide reduction process of reducing graphene oxide to graphene with reducing agent potassium borohydride(KBH4). The samples where dipped in a solution of potassium borohydride(KBH4) and dried off . The graphene is characterised by using Raman spectroscopy and then all the electrodes and Si,SiO2 samples where analytically tested by Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry(SWASV), cyclic voltammetry for surface activity tests and corrosion test to determine their relative performance in detecting lead ions (Pb 2+) in a buffer solution. Pb2+ ions were added during the tests to enhance the performance of the electrodes to improve the response of Pb2+. A number of calibration curves were plotted to investigate the performance of the electrodes and find the best sample.