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Low-cost ternary composite of graphite, kaolinite and cement as a potential working electrode for general electrochemical applications

Chemical Papers volume 76, pages 6653–6658 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

This work demonstrates the fabrication of a binder-free ternary graphite-clay-cement composite electrode (GKCeCE) with improved electrical/mechanical properties and its potential electrochemical applications as an ideal working electrode. The combination of clay and cement (~ 5%) accounts for a sturdy lamella-like graphite structure, which is responsible for improved electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of GKCeCE. GKCeCE can produce an ideal cyclic voltammetry signal with narrow peak-to-peak separation, avoiding high background current and peak broadening characteristics to binary composite electrodes. The aniline can be successfully electropolymerized with GKCeCE. The polyaniline deposited on GKCeCE consists of a nanofiber network, exhibiting the lowest serial (10 Ω) and charge transfer resistance (77.5 Ω), indicating the potential of modified GKCeCE in the fabrication of various electrochemical devices and sensors. GKCeCE is a low-cost improved version of the binder-free composite of graphite that is considered a potential alternative for expensive commercial working electrodes.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the Industrial Technology Institute of Sri Lanka (Grant No. TG 19/181 and TG 21/193).

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Dananjali T. Rathnayake & Apeksha S. K. Wijekoon

  2. Materials Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, No. 363, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo, 00700, Sri Lanka

    Kohobhange S. P. Karunadasa & Chinthan H. Manoratne

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    R. M. Gamini Rajapakse

Authors
  1. Dananjali T. Rathnayake
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  2. Kohobhange S. P. Karunadasa
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  3. Apeksha S. K. Wijekoon
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  4. Chinthan H. Manoratne
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  5. R. M. Gamini Rajapakse
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Correspondence to R. M. Gamini Rajapakse.

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Rathnayake, D.T., Karunadasa, K.S.P., Wijekoon, A.S.K. et al. Low-cost ternary composite of graphite, kaolinite and cement as a potential working electrode for general electrochemical applications. Chem. Pap. 76, 6653–6658 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-022-02314-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-022-02314-w

Keywords

  • Graphite
  • Kaolinite
  • Cement
  • Ternary composite
  • Working electrode
  • Electrochemical applications