Carbon-based Composite Electrodes: Preparation, Characterization and Application in Electroanalysis

Abstract

Electrodes based on carbon, i.e., expanded graphite (20%, wt.)-epoxy composite (20EG-Epoxy) and expanded graphite (20%, wt.)-polystyrene composite (20EG-PS) have been prepared, characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), and tested as anodic sensors. The electrodes exhibited good mechanical resistance and low electrical resistances. Scan rate dependent cyclic voltammetry responses at 20EG-Epoxy and 20EG-PS composite electrodes, which were exemplified for thiourea (TU), a toxic sulphur organic compound selected as testing target analyte in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte, were investigated. The obtained voltammetric data were in accordance with those for a random array of microelectrodes. The voltammetric and chronoamperometric detection results of TU in tap water samples, without a supplementary addition of supporting electrolyte, at 20EG-Epoxy electrode proved its use for direct analysis of environmental samples.

1. Introduction

Carbon has presented the grown interest as electrode material because it exhibits many advantages, including good electrical conductivity, chemical inertness and wide potential range [1, 2]. Carbon-based materials such as graphite, carbon fibers, etc. have largely been used in the last time as the conductive phase in composite materials suitable for electrochemical sensors [3-5]. The use of composites based on conductive phase dispersed within insulating polymer matrices as electrodes has led to important advances in developing sensor devices [6-13]. The composite materials consisted of the combination of two or more materials, in which each individual component exhibit its original nature should be seen as a whole with the distinctive chemical, mechanical and physical peculiarities [6]. Electrodes obtained by using a mixture of particulate conductive carbon phase and an insulating matrix represent an attractive approach to fabrication electrochemical sensors, whose surface can be renewed by polishing [3, 7]. The insulating phase has shown a grown interest for investigation in order to decrease the electrical resistance and to improve the electrochemical behavior of the composite.

In this work certain new carbon-based composite electrodes, i.e., expanded graphite (20 %, wt.)-epoxy (20EG-Epoxy), expanded graphite (20 %, wt.)-polystyrene (20EG-PS), were elaborated and evaluated for the electroanalytical utility. Scaning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to determine the physical distribution of the carbon particles within insulating matrices (epoxy or polystyrene). The electrochemical characterization of these composite electrodes were carried out by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Thiourea (TU) was chosen as target pollutant for electrochemical assessment of the behaviour and the use of the studied carbon-based composite electrodes as available sensors and their application in electroanalysis. Thiourea is only an example of a presumptive toxic compound regarded as representative sulphur-containing pollutant in water [14,15]. It was selected as a very adequate analyte for put in evidence the microelectrode array behaviour of the elaborated sensing device, at the same time the principal aim of the work.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Surface characterization

SEM images of fractured surfaces of both composites were taken to qualify the bulk distribution and the structure of the conductive carbon filler (Figure 1a, b).

The appearance of the fractured surfaces of both composites containing is very similarly. Generally, the graphite flakes are well distributed within both organic matrices. However, some differences that can be explained by the different preparation conditions are present. A layering of the graphite flakes parallel to the surfaces of the plate is visible for the 20EG-Epoxy electrode, due to the pressing of the plate in the hot press (Figure 1a). Such layering is absent in the 20EG-PS electrode that has been prepared by casting a film from a solution. For this composite one can distinguish closely spaced zones of graphite flakes with a random orientation (Figure 1b). This observation is also confirmed by the different resistivities measured for the two composites. A random orientation of the conductive filler, as in the case of the 20EG-PS composite, provides with better conditions for conduction of the electrical current across the thickness of the electrode in contrast to the case when a layering parallel to the surfaces of the electrode exists, as for the 20EG-Epoxy composite. This leads to a slightly lower resistance of the 20EG-PS composite (5.8 Ω) than the one of the 20EG-Epoxy (7.3 Ω). In conclusion the explored materials available in elaboration of the investigated electrodes showed good mechanical strength with relatively low electrical resistivity. The different detection results in their application for electrochemical sensing devices can be entirely related to the nature of the matrix.

2.2. Electrochemical behavior

Several literature data underline that the carbon based composite electrode can be regarded either ordered (array) or randomized microelectrode ensembles [2, 7, 16]. Under these circumstances, the diffusion flux toward microelectrodes ensembles depend strongly on the experimental timescale. Figure 2 shows the cyclic voltammetric responses at each studied carbon-based composite electrode in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte containing 1 mM TU, used as testing analyte.

The low signal-to-background ratio was obtained and all studied carbon-based composite electrodes provided the irreversibility of TU electrochemical oxidation.

The specific micro-dispersed nature of the investigated carbon-based composite electrode suggested a presumptive way to discuss the corresponding electrochemical data considering the typical aspects regarding the behaviour of randomized or array structured microelectrodes systems.

For some carbon-based composite electrode, it has been proved the heterogeneous electroactivity with distinct microzones of a significantly higher electrochemical activity [7]. The voltammetric responses of carbon-based composite electrodes are sometimes similarly to that found for “edge effect”, which contribute significantly to the Faradaic current. However, these structured materials, as in our investigated composites, are not rigorously arrays but are truly randomised ensembles, with the size, shape and inter-microelectrode separation distributed over a wide range. The random ensembles of microelectrodes can have array behaviour in certain situation [7], an important characteristic expected to manifest similarly for our explored electrodes. In the preparation of carbon-based composites with microelectrode array behaviour, certain important requirements should be met. The main requirement is that the gaps between individual conductive carbon microzones should be much larger than its radius, when spherical diffusion dominates mass transport. The closely spaced carbon microzones array will behave similar to a macroelectrode (linear diffusion controlled mass transport) because of the diffusion layer overlap [16-24]. Another requirement is subjected to the insulating matrix to prevent current leakage, which resulted in the distortion of the cyclic voltammetry [6]. Microelectrode arrays exhibit the advantages of single microelectrodes, e.g., reduced ohmic drop and charging current, the lower detection limit and better sensitivity. In the same time, their use overcome the disadvantages of single microelectrode subjected to low current outlet and the high susceptibility to the electrochemical noise [19].

Because the possibility to observe microelectrode array behavioural aspects depends the size, geometry and the gaps between microelectrodes, but also on the response time of the electrode, the scan rate in the cyclic voltammetry was systematically varied over a wide range of scan rates. Such, scan rate effect on the voltammograms can be use as a first diagnostic criterion of the electrochemical behavioural characteristics.

Figure 3 illustrates the effects of the scan rate on the cyclic voltammograms of each investigated our composite. The scan rate is systematically varied from 0.001 to 0.05 V·s^-1 in 1 mM TU containing 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte. For both composites electrodes, the scan rate effect is relatively slight. In addition, for these types of composites a current plateau has been observed when the scan rate was equal or lower than approximately 0.05 V·s^-1. This result, regarding a limiting current suggests that for the slower scan rates, a pseudo-steady state response has been achieved with little hysteresis effect between the forward and backward branches of the cyclic voltammograms. This behavior is in accordance with a microelectrode array behaviour of the investigated composite electrodes.

2.3. Electrochemical detection in solution of low ionic strength

The ability of the microelectrode array to deliver the current responses in the absence of any supporting electrolyte is an attractive feature when they are compared with the conventional macroelectrodes [21]. There are several reason subjected to analytical studies on nondilute samples in the absence of any supporting electrolyte, i.e., the direct analysis in low ionic strength solutions that make analysis more facile, eliminating the possible interference of the supporting electrolyte and the possibility of extending the upper concentration limit of the analyte under investigation.

Based on the first preliminary evidence of the electrochemical behavior of the studied carbon-based composite electrode, it was found that 20EG-Epoxy electrode, selected as individual example in the sensing application, represented an optimal working electrode for analytical purposes, e.g., TU detection in tap water, without supporting electrolyte, a second certification of the microelectrode array behaviour. The responses obtained at 20EG-Epoxy in the absence of supporting electrolyte and for different concentrations of TU in tap water are presented in Figure 4. This depicts the voltammetric responses obtained at the electrode at scan rate of 0.05 V·s^-1, which was chosen to keep the negligible ohmic drop. The anodic current recorded at 0.9 V vs. SCE increases with increasing of TU in tap water and a relative low hysteresis was observed. Inset of Figure 4 shows that the anodic current from forward branches of CVs recorded at 0.9 V/SCE depends linearly on the TU concentration in the range 0.1-1.0 mM, with a correlation coefficient better than 0.99 and the sensitivity of 0.01426 mA·mM^-1.

The anodic detection of thiourea is not specifically, other electroactive species offer amperometric signals in the same potential range, but remains an very adequate reference example for anodic detection in the circumstances of an array behaviour of the used carbon-based composite electrode.

A typical hydrodynamic chronoamperometry (Figure 5) was obtained by successively adding TU to a quiescent tap water. The applied potential was set at +0.9 V vs. SCE and the response time was about 50 seconds. The inset of Figure 5 shows the calibration plot of successive additions of 0.5 mM TU to tap water. The calibration plot of current versus TU concentration was linear over the concentration range of 0.5 to 4 mM, with the correlation coefficient of 0.98. The sensitivity of this cronoamperometric assessment of 0.00348 mA·mM^-1 is lower compared to CV analytical data, probably because of some cumulative and remanent adsorption effects on the surface of the electrode.

At the potential value of 0.9 V vs. SCE, a linear relationship between the amperometric signal and TU concentration was obtained in the range 0.1 to1 mM using cyclic voltammetry and between 0.5 and 4 mM using chronoamperometry (CA) and successive addition of target compounds in hydrodynamic conditions. Under these experimental conditions, no cleaning or pretreatment of the electrode after each addition of TU was required. The analytical parameters are presented in

Table 1. The analytical parameters of amperometric detection of TU at an EG-PS electrode using different techniques.

Technique used	Concentration range(mM)	Electrode sensitivity (mA·mM-1)	Correlation coefficient (R2)	LOD (mM)	RSD (%)
CV	0.1-1	0.01426	0.9992	0.02	2.5
CA	0.5-4	0.00348	0.9832	0.2	3.2

. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) was evaluated based on 3 sigma method (calculated as 3 times the standard deviation of the blank over the sensitivity) [9]. The reproducibility of the data at the EG-PS electrode using the above-mentioned techniques was evaluated for three replicates measurements of TU detection. The relative standard deviations (RSD) gathered in

Table 2. The electrical resistance of the material of each carbon-based composite electrode

Carbon -based composite type	Electrical resistance*(Ω)
20EG-Epoxy	7.3
20EG-PS	5.8

^*evaluated for the thickness of 1 mm and over an area of 81 mm²

show the good reproducibility of the electrode.

3. Experimental Section

The composite electrodes were prepared from low viscosity polystyrene pellets (PS N2000, Crystal from Shell) or two-component epoxy resin (LY5052, Araldite) mixed with conductive expanded graphite (EG) fillers powder (Conductograph, SGL Carbon). To prepare 20EG-PS, the conductive expanded graphite filler (EG) was added to a toluene (Fluka) solution of PS N2000 with constant stirring. Ultrasound was used for about 2h to mix well the components. The obtained viscous mixture was cast into a film using a Teflon mold and the toluene was let to evaporate first at room temperature for 48 h and later in a vacuum oven at 50 ° C for 24 h. The final thickness of the obtained film was about 1 mm. In the case of the 20EG-Epoxy composite it was not possible to add the full amount of EG to the matrix resin directly, due to the high surface area of the graphite flakes, therefore, the mixing was performed in a roll-mill at room temperature. The two parts of the epoxy were mixed together and the full amount of the EG was added in steps forming a thick paste. Then the epoxy was cured in a hot press at 80° C for 40 minutes. Simultaneously the material was shaped in a plate of 1 mm thickness. The plate was slowly cooled down (for about 12 h) to the room temperature without removing the applied pressure. The prepared carbon-based composites showed good mechanical strength and low electrical resistance (Table 2).

Plates with a surface area of 9 mm² were cut from all compositions put on a glass supports and electrical contacts were made using a silver paint. The electrodes were isolated on the sides by epoxy resin. Prior to use, this working electrode was gradually cleaned, first polished with abrasive paper and then on a felt-polishing pad by using 0.3 μm alumina powder (Metrohm, Switzerland) in distilled water for 5 minutes and rinsing with distilled water.

A Scanning Electron Microscope (Philips CM30T) was used to observe the working electrode surface.

The electrochemical performances of these electrodes were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Subsequently, an electrochemical pretreatment by three repetitive cyclings between –0.5 V to 1.25 V vs. SCE in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte was performed. All measurements were carried out using an Autolab potentiostat/galvanostat PGSTAT 302 (Eco Chemie, The Netherlands) controlled with GPES 4.9 software and a three-electrode cell, with a saturated calomel electrode as reference electrode, a platinum counter electrode and a carbon-based composite as working electrode.

Thiourea and sodium sulphate were analytical grade from Merck, and the solutions were freshly prepared with double-distilled water.

4. Conclusions

This work demonstrated that carbon-based composites electrodes using epoxy and polystyrene matrix showed good mechanical resistance and slight different low electrical resistances depended on the insulating matrix and preparation method. From the perspective of electroanalytical applications, 20EG-Epoxy and 20EG-PS exhibited microelectrode array behaviour. It was possible to observe practically the low hysteresis of the cyclic voltammograms and an equivalence of steady state responses in quiescent solution at the scan rates of the several orders faster than for conventional macroelectrode.

20EG-Epoxy composite electrode gave amperometric responses for analytical use, and in some adequate circumstances no need a supplementary supporting electrolyte, as example a very dilute electrolytic composition of tap water being completely satisfactory. For the determination of TU in tap water by using CV and CA procedures, linear plots of current vs. concentration were obtained in the concentration range of TU between 0.1 to 1 mM, and 0.5 to 4 mM respectively, with LOD of 0.02 mM and 0.2 mM, without the need of a renewed surface between successive runs. This electrode proffered the possibility of analysis directly in environmental samples, e.g., tap water with TU, or more generally with an organic load.

The anodic detection of thiourea remains an adequate example for anodic detection in the circumstances of array behaviour of the used carbon-based composite electrode.