On the mechanism of electrochemical deposition of graphene on Al foils and AlSi10MgCu particles

The graphene synthesis via the electrochemical method and electrochemical deposition of graphene on Al foils and AlSi10MgCu particles were studied. The thickness of deposited graphene layers was varied from 3 to 20 layers and, thus, they were classified as multi-graphene. The chemically pure sucrose C12H22O11 was used as a raw material for graphene synthesis. It was shown that the deposition of graphene layers was affected mainly by the pH values of electrolyte mediums. In the electrochemical reaction at H2SO4 water solution at pH < 7, the graphene was deposited on Al foils and on AlSi10MgCu particles from the electrolyte. The microstructure and composition of graphene formed on Al foils and AlSi10MgCu particles' surface were studied by Raman spectroscopy, SEM, EDX, and TEM methods. The chemical mechanism of graphene formation was defined as follows: the sucrose was recovered via the reaction route C12H22O11 -> C6H12O6 -> C-graphene in acidic aqueous media. An increase in the H2SO4 concentration from 0.05 M to 0.80 M has resulted in the formation of graphene layers with up to 6 mu m thickness on AlSi10MgCu particles.

Automated summary

Graphene synthesis via electrochemical methods, including deposition on Al foils and AlSi10MgCu particles, was studied. The pH values of electrolyte mediums were found to have a significant impact on the deposition of graphene layers. An increase in H2SO4 concentration led to the formation of thicker graphene layers on AlSi10MgCu particles.