The
electrodeposition of a zinc–graphene composite has been
achieved for the first time using a graphene quantum dot (GQD) electrode.
At the GQD electrode, the electrochemical reduction of zinc ion is
shifted to a lesser negative potential with the complementary anodic
peak due to the oxidation of the composite shifted toward a positive
potential as compared to zinc ion reduction in the GQD bath. The charge
ratio of anodic to cathodic peaks is one that represents a gain of
nearly ten percent over the conventional Zn/Zn2+ in the
energy storage systems. In galvanostatic electrolysis, the deposition
of zinc–graphene composite is carried out under neutral and
acidic conditions. The X-ray diffraction of the electrolytically prepared
composite shows distinct features of 2 theta reflection at 8°
due to (001) plane of graphene, in addition to the characteristic
reflections at 38.9°,43.2°, 54.3°, 70.1° and 90°
arising from Zn at (002), (100), (101), (102) and (110). A large scale
preparation of the zinc–graphene composite has been achieved
with a zinc plate as the working electrode in the GQD bath. The thermogravimetric
analysis (TGA) of the composite shows a distinct weight loss that
is due to breakdown of the composite. The interaction of GQD with
zinc ion has been examined by fluorescence spectroscopy that shows
quenching of the fluorescence of GQD. Scanning electron microscopy
and energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDAX) shows a string-like structure
with peaks for carbon and zinc in EDAX. The electrochemical data on
zinc/zinc–graphene composite reveals that it functions ideally
as a charge storage material. Contact angle measurements reveal it
to have hydrophilicity.