Publication detail

Ultrapure Graphene Is a Poor Electrocatalyst: Definitive Proof of the Key Role of Metallic Impurities in Graphene-Based Electrocatalysis

MAZÁNEK, V. LUXA, J. MATĚJKOVÁ, S. KUČERA, J. SEDMIDUBSKÝ, D. PUMERA, M. SOFER, Z.

Original Title

Ultrapure Graphene Is a Poor Electrocatalyst: Definitive Proof of the Key Role of Metallic Impurities in Graphene-Based Electrocatalysis

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

Graphene and its derivatives have been reported in many articles as "metal-free" carbon electrocatalytic materials. Its synthesis procedures are generally based on the chemical oxidation of graphite and subsequent thermal or chemical reduction. Because graphene oxide has a large surface area and typically contains a variety of oxygen functionalities, metallic ions (impurities) from reaction mixtures can be adsorbed on its surface. These impurities can significantly enhance the electrocatalytic activity and thus lead to data misinterpretation; such impure samples are referred to as "metal-free" catalysts. In this paper, we report the synthesis of impurity-free graphene, which is compared with graphene prepared by standard methods based on the thermal and chemical reduction of two graphene oxides. Detailed analysis of graphene prepared by standard methods shows a direct relation between metallic impurities and the electrocatalytic activity of graphene. In contrast, impurity-free graphene exhibits poor electrocatalytic activity.

Keywords

metallic impurities; purification; graphene; electrocatalysis; doping; neutron activation analysis

Authors

MAZÁNEK, V.; LUXA, J.; MATĚJKOVÁ, S.; KUČERA, J.; SEDMIDUBSKÝ, D.; PUMERA, M.; SOFER, Z.

Released

1. 2. 2019

ISBN

1936-0851

Periodical

ACS Nano

Year of study

13

Number

2

State

United States of America

Pages from

1574

Pages to

1582

Pages count

9

URL

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsnano.8b07534

BibTex

@article{BUT158446,
  author="Vlastimil {Mazánek} and Jan {Luxa} and Stanislava {Matějková} and Jan {Kučera} and David {Sedmidubský} and Martin {Pumera} and Zdeněk {Sofer}",
  title="Ultrapure Graphene Is a Poor Electrocatalyst: Definitive Proof of the Key Role of Metallic Impurities in Graphene-Based Electrocatalysis",
  journal="ACS Nano",
  year="2019",
  volume="13",
  number="2",
  pages="1574--1582",
  doi="10.1021/acsnano.8b07534",
  issn="1936-0851",
  url="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsnano.8b07534"
}