3D graphene foam as a monolithic and macroporous carbon electrode for electrochemical sensing

• Main Authors: Dong, Xiaochen, Wang, Xuewan, Wang, Lianhui, Song, Hao, Zhang, Hua, Huang, Wei, Chen, Peng
• Other Authors: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/99640; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/10264
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Graphene, a single-atom-thick monolayer of sp2 carbon atoms perfectly arranged in a honeycomb lattice, is an emerging sensing material because of its extraordinary properties, such as exceptionally high specific surface area, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical potential window. In this study, we demonstrate that three-dimensional (3D), macroporous, highly conductive, and monolithic graphene foam synthesized by chemical vapor deposition represents a novel architecture for electrochemical electrodes. Being employed as an electrochemical sensor for detection of dopamine, 3D graphene electrode exhibits remarkable sensitivity (619.6 μA mM–1 cm–2) and lower detection limit (25 nM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5.6), with linear response up to 25 μM. And the oxidation peak of dopamine can be easily distinguished from that of uric acid – a common interferent to dopamine detection. We envision that the graphene foam provides a promising platform for the development of electrochemical sensors as well as other applications, such as energy storage and conversion.