title: The edge- and basal-plane-specific electrochemistry of a single-layer graphene sheet.
abstract: Graphene has a unique atom-thick two-dimensional structure and excellent properties, making it attractive for a variety of electrochemical applications, including electrosynthesis, electrochemical sensors or electrocatalysis, and energy conversion and storage. However, the electrochemistry of single-layer graphene has not yet been well understood, possibly due to the technical difficulties in handling individual graphene sheet. Here, we report the electrochemical behavior at single-layer graphene-based electrodes, comparing the basal plane of graphene to its edge. The graphene edge showed 4 orders of magnitude higher specific capacitance, much faster electron transfer rate and stronger electrocatalytic activity than those of graphene basal plane. A convergent diffusion effect was observed at the sub-nanometer thick graphene edge-electrode to accelerate the electrochemical reactions. Coupling with the high conductivity of a high-quality graphene basal plane, graphene edge is an ideal electrode for electrocatalysis and for the storage of capacitive charges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yingru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hailin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhongfan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Gaoquan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D025802:Electric Capacitance; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D006108:Graphite
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