Electrochemical Synthesis and Modification of Carbon-Based Materials

Electrochemistry is a growing method for green and mild reactions. Driving chemical reactions using electrochemistry offers advantages for basic studies, including precise control of the potential, current, and cell configuration as well as quantitative analysis techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is a versatile method for energy storage, sensing, conversion technologies, surface science, pollutant removal, and real-time analysis/screening. Here, we utilized electrochemistry to synthesize and modify carbon-based materials such as polymers, structured carbon materials, and graphene. The mechanisms of electrochemical polymerization are challenging to understand fully. We focus on understanding the reaction mechanisms during the electrochemical polymerization of polyhydrocarbons using electrochemical methods combined with spectroscopy. Well-ordered carbon nanowalls were synthesized with the help of electrochemical reactions in molten salt electrolytes and single-crystal metal substrates. Also, we present the covalent functionalization of single-crystal monolayer graphene without destroying its lattice and how functionalization depends on the detailed electrochemical parameters and the substrate that the graphene resides on.