We report the direct exclusive modification of the edge of a single graphene monolayer with nanoparticles or organic functionalities under ambient conditions.
17 September 2024 in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Debondable pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) promise access to recyclability in microelectronics in the transition toward a circular economy. Two PSAs were synthesized from a tetravalent thiol star‐polyester forming thiol‐catechol‐connectivities (TCC) with either the biorelated DiDopa‐bisquinone (BY*Q) or the fossil‐based bisquinone A (BQA). The PSAs enable debonding by oxidation of TCC‐catechols to quinones. The extent of debonding efficiency depends on the interaction modes, which are determined by the chemical structure differences of both TCC‐motifs. BY*Q‐TCC‐PSA debonds with exceptional loss of 99 % of its approx. 2 MPa shear strength in glass‐on‐glass junctions. For BQA‐TCC‐PSA, a debonding efficiency of only approx. 60 % was found, irrespective of its initial shear strength, which could be tuned up to approx. 7 MPa. The efficiency of debonding for BY*Q‐TCC‐PSA after TCC‐oxidation is linked to the loss of synergistic interactions without strongly affecting the bulk glue properties, outperforming the purely catechol‐based BQA‐analogue.
Field-effect transistors (FETs) based on graphene are promising devices for the direct sensing of a range of analytes in solution. We show here that the presence of redox active molecules in the analyte solution leads to the occurrence of heterogeneous electron transfer with graphene generating a Faradaic current (electron transfer) in a FET configuration resulting in shifts of the Dirac point. Such a shift occurs if the Faradaic current is significantly high, e.g. due to a large graphene area. Furthermore, the redox shift based on the Faradaic current, reminiscent of a doping-like effect, is found to be non-Nernstian and dependent on parameters known from electrode kinetics in potentiodynamic methods, such as the electrode area, the standard potential of the redox probes and the scan rate of the gate voltage modulation. This behavior clearly differentiates this effect from other transduction mechanisms based on electrostatic interactions or molecular charge transfer doping effects, which are usually behind a shift of the Dirac point. These observations suggest that large-area unmodified/pristine graphene in field-effect sensors behaves as a non-polarized electrode in liquid. Strategies for ensuring a polarized interface are discussed.
Achieving long term stability of single graphene sheets towards repeated electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) cycling has been challenging. Here, we show through appropriate electrode preparation that it is possible to obtain highly durable isolated graphene electrodes, which can survive several hundreds of HER cycles with virtually no damage to the sp2-carbon framework and persistently good electron transfer characteristics.