ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Low-cost composite electrode consisting of graphite, colloidal graphite and montmorillonite with enhanced electrochemical performance for general electroanalytical techniques and device fabrication

Pannilage M. H. Madhushanka, Kohobhange S. P. Karunadasa, R. M. Gamini Rajapakse, Chinthan H. Manoratne, and H. M. N. Bandara

Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

E-mail: sujithkohobhange@yahoo.com

Received: 18 May 2023  Accepted: 12 September 2023

Abstract:

Further advancement of the graphite–clay composite electrodes is an essential necessity, which improves performance, resulting in a better alternative for commercial electrodes. In this respect, a novel composite electrode is fabricated using graphite, colloidal graphite and montmorillonite clay (GCGMMTCE), exhibiting ideal electrode behavior, which results in an improved electrochemical performance. The cyclic voltammogram obtained with the GCGMMTCE reflects an ideal curve profile, which is featuring a low background current, the narrowest peak-to-peak separation, narrow peaks and an improved sensitivity to analyte (0.81 A m mol⁻¹). The aniline electropolymerization with GCGMMTCE accounts for an interlinked polyaniline nanofiber forest-like network, which results in the lowest serial (11 Ω) and charge transfer resistance (169 Ω). To highlights the real practical application of PANI-GCGMMTCE, a supercapacitor cell was constructed using two identical PANI-GCGMMTCE segments that is accounted for the highest specific capacitance, which is 782 F g⁻¹ at 5 mV s⁻¹. The GCGMMTCE is a potential electrode that can use as alternative working electrode in general electrochemical applications. Besides, further modifications with different precursors ensure the utilization of GCGMMTCE in advance devices, including supercapacitors and bio-electrochemical sensors.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Graphite; Colloidal graphite; Composite working electrode; Electroanalytical techniques; Supercapacitors

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-023-03086-7

Chemical Papers 78 (1) 633–643 (2024)