Graphene attached to glassy carbon surfaces. From simple deposition to redox polymer cathodic generation

• Immobilization of graphene onto glassy carbon
• Cathodic charge of graphene
• Formation of a polymer based on the presence of graphene moieties as redox centres
• Reactivity of graphene towards electro-generated organic radicals and nucleophiles.

The electrochemical reduction (in aprotic polar solvents) of thin compact graphene layers mechanically deposited onto flat glassy carbon (GC) surfaces was studied. For the first time, cathodic voltammetry of graphene supported by GC was achieved. Furthermore, deposited graphene was reduced in the presence of α,ω-dihaloalkanes. These mixed electrolyses implied on one hand graphene moieties considered as redox blocks and/or free radical traps and on the other hand X–R–X as pro-links between graphene islands. Upon electron transfer, and depending on the applied potential, α,ω-dihaloalkanes generate reactive transients (e.g. bi-radicals or di-nucleophiles). Additionally, the electrode surface is involved in this process and contributes to create a redox polymer (poly-graphene) immobilized on the electrode that one may imagine highly chemically and electrochemically malleable. This first contribution outlines both the formation and electrochemical capacities of this 3D-electrode.

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