Carbon allotropes form a hybrid material: Synthesis, characterization, and molecular dynamics simulation of novel graphene-glassy carbon hybrid material. (30th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nimbalkar, Surabhi; Montgomery-Walsh, Rhea; Bunnell, James; Galindo, Sandra Lara; Cariappa, Brinda Kodira; Gautam, Abhivyakti; Arvizu, Rene; Yang, Shize; Kassegne, Sam
• Is Part Of: Carbon. Volume 196(2022)
• Page Start: 1012
• Page End: 1023
• Publication Date: 2022-08-30
• Subjects: Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbone -- Périodiques; Koolstof; Toepassingen; Electronic journals; 546.681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.05.049
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-6223

Abstract

Abstract: Using graphene (Gr) and glassy carbon (GC) as building blocks, we introduce a hybrid material with superior electrical and electrochemical properties. The formation of the hybrid material is demonstrated and validated through (a) synthesis process, (b) comprehensive morphological and surface characterizations, and (b) molecular dynamics simulation. Chemical bonds and surface morphology were characterized through FTIR and SEM, respectively, while its nanostructure was imaged through scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and qualitatively compared with classical molecular dynamics simulations outcomes. In addition, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) provided insights to chemical composition of the nanostructure where a combination of sp 2 and sp 3 characteristics were dominant at the interface of Gr and GC. Taken together, the characterization and simulation outcomes confirm that 5- 6-, and 7- membered carbon rings formed a predominantly sp 2 hybridized bond at the Gr and GC interface, contributing to the formation of a unique and novel hybrid material. The hybrid material's capability to form 3D and complex components with active functional groups together with its high charge storage capacity (56.5 ± 0.7 mC/cm 2 ) and low impedance (∼8.95 kΩ @ 1 KHz for 300 μm dia. microelectrode) will offer new possibilities in advanced semi-conductor devices and ultra-sensitive biochemical sensors. Graphical abstract: Image 1