Аннотация:Graphene oxide is a promising material for creating new gas sensors. It is a non-stoichiometric compound with a varying degree of oxidation and the complex morphology of its particles. To create reliable sensors with reproducible characteristics, fundamental knowledge about the relationship between the structure of graphene oxide and its properties is required.
In the present work, carbon nanostructures formed by the electrochemical oxidation of graphite surface were studied. The oxidation of graphite was carried out locally under the tip of a microscopic probe (local anodic oxidation) and in an electrochemical cell with planar graphite electrodes. The microstructure of the oxidized areas and their local electrical conductivity were investigated by atomic force microscopy and scanning resistance microscopy.
It was found that in the initial stages of local anodic oxidation, isolated islands with a reduced electrical conductivity were formed. More intensive oxidation results in an increase in the surface roughness and the reduction of the electrical conductivity for the whole area of the modification.
The graphite surface oxidation in the cell with planar electrodes did not result in the formation of a uniform layer of graphene oxide. Protrusions with a height of 0.3-0.5 nm were found on atomic terraces. At the same time, the holes formation was revealed in areas containing defects. An increase in the oxidation rate led to the appearance of a nanoporous structure. Such modification, with significant increase in surface area, can be applied to create sensors with high sensitivity.
The established relationships between the structure of the graphite surface, the methods of its oxidation and the local electrical conductivity are important for development of new resistive chemical sensors based on graphene oxide.