Issue 20, 2021

Covalent graphite modification by low-temperature photocatalytic oxidation using a titanium dioxide thin film prepared by atomic layer deposition

Abstract

Oxidative modification of graphene-based materials is an attractive route to functional materials. The use of strong oxidants to achieve surface modification of the carbon often leads to poor uniformity and limited reproducibility. Photocatalytic oxidation is a milder method. In this work, graphite is surface oxidized using an anatase thin photocatalytic film with a thickness of 22.5 nm facing the graphite surface to be oxidized. The high UV light transparency (95%) of the supported titania film simplified the experimental setup. The titania thin film was prepared using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Excellent oxidation uniformity and reaction reproducibility are achieved. By avoiding the use of chemical reagents there is no chemical contamination. Graphite photo-oxidation with the titania film prepared with ALD is much faster than with a powdery photocatalyst. The photocatalytic process runs efficiently with air containing water vapor. High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed the formation of hydroxyl, epoxy and carbonyl functional groups. ALD is a suitable method for thin film preparation rendering this photocatalytic process suitable for scale-up and automation. Photocatalytically oxidized graphite (POG) electrodes are a potential application.

Graphical abstract: Covalent graphite modification by low-temperature photocatalytic oxidation using a titanium dioxide thin film prepared by atomic layer deposition

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 May 2021
Accepted
30 Aug 2021
First published
03 Sep 2021

Catal. Sci. Technol., 2021,11, 6724-6731

Covalent graphite modification by low-temperature photocatalytic oxidation using a titanium dioxide thin film prepared by atomic layer deposition

N. R. Ostyn, S. P. Sree, J. Li, J. Feng, M. B. J. Roeffaers, S. De Feyter, J. Dendooven, C. Detavernier and J. A. Martens, Catal. Sci. Technol., 2021, 11, 6724 DOI: 10.1039/D1CY00941A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements