Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glucose on Boron and Nitrogen Codoped Graphene Quantum Dot Electrodes in Alkali Media

Abstract

A novel solvothermal technique has been developed in the presence of C/N/B precursor for synthesizing B-N-coped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as non-metal electrocatalysts towards the catalytic glucose oxidation reaction (GOR). Both N-doped GQD and B-N-codoped GQD particles (~4.0 nm) possess a similar oxidation and amidation level. The B-N-codoped GQD contains a B/C ratio of 3.16 at.%, where the B dopants were formed through different bonding types (i.e., N‒B, C‒B, BC2O, and BCO2) inserted into or decorated on the GQDs. The cyclic voltammetry measurement revealed that the catalytic activity of B-N-codoped GQD catalyst is significantly higher compared to the N-doped GQDs (~20% increase). It was also shown that the GOR activity was substantially enhanced due to the synergistic effect of B and N dopants within the GQD catalysts. Based on the analysis of Tafel plots, the B-N-codoped-GQD catalyst electrode displays an ultra-high exchange current density along with a reduced Tafel slope. The application of B-N-codoped GQD electrodes significantly enhances the catalytic activity and results in facile reaction kinetics towards the glucose oxidation reaction. Accordingly, the novel design of GQD catalyst demonstrated in this work sets the stage for designing inexpensive GQD-based catalysts as an alternative for precious metal catalysts commonly used in bio-sensors, fuel cells, and other electrochemical devices.

Density functional theory study of the hydrogen evolution reaction in haeckelite boron nitride quantum dots

“…Like GQDs, further investigations are in progress to find other thermally stable, non-toxic, inert chemical catalysts. Doping GQDs with B and N enhances their catalytic activity considerably [39,40]. Considering the effect of B-N doping on the electrocatalytic activity of QDs and the significant role of B-N nanostructures for hydrogenadsorption and storage, boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) appear to be promising substitutes because of their tailorable properties.…”

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nitrogen, Boron Co-Doped Graphene with Enhanced Electro-Catalytic Activity for Cymoxanil Detection

“…The doped carbonaceous materials are especially interesting as they are known to have better electro-catalytic activity in comparison to their un-doped equivalents [ 20 , 21 ]. Recent works reported that dual-doped graphene with two types of heteroatoms (e.g., N, B [ 22 , 23 ], N, S [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], or N, P [ 27 , 28 ]) presented improved electro-catalytic activity due to their synergistic effect compared to single atom-doped graphene. Nitrogen, having a larger electronegativity than carbon (N: 3.04, C: 2.55, respectively,) could induce a charge redistribution of carbon thus generating an improved electronic conductivity and formation of supplementary active site [ 29 ].…”

Deep eutectic solvent-assisted synthesis of poly(furfuryl alcohol) grafted carbon nanotubes: a metal free electrocatalyst for non-enzymatic glucose detection

“…37 Moreover, B and N co-doped graphene quantum dot (GQD)-based electrodes have displayed better activity. 38 We have synthesized PFA-grafted CNT nanocomposites in a one-pot two-step synthesis process using a choline chloridebased DES, which was prepared by mixing choline chloride and ZnCl 2 in a 1 : 2 molar ratio as described in a previous report. 33 FA (1.0 g) was dissolved in the required amount of DES and sonicated at 60 1C for 20 min for the polymerization step without using any external acidic media.…”

“…37 Moreover, B and N co-doped graphene quantum dot (GQD)-based electrodes have displayed better activity. 38…”