Site-Selective Bipolar Electrodeposition of Gold Clusters on Graphene Oxide Microsheets at a 3D Air|Liquid Interface

An innovative wireless approach is proposed for asymmetric site-selective deposition of gold clusters on graphene oxide microsheets by performing bipolar electrochemistry at the 3D air|liquid interface present in an assembly of bubbles constituting a foam. Exfoliated graphene oxide (EGO) microsheets are introduced into a bipolar electrochemical cell, which is filled with the foam composed of a nonionic surfactant, water, and a gold metal precursor. The EGO microparticles are located exclusively at the air|liquid interface, providing a unique 2D reaction space for bipolar electrodeposition, deployed in the 3D volume of the reactor. The application of an external electric field on such a medium enables a focalization of the polarization potential gradient and simultaneously restricts the mobility of the EGO particles, leading to their preferential in-plane orientation with respect to the electric field lines, greatly facilitating their successful site selective modification with gold clusters.

Automated summary

An innovative wireless approach is proposed for asymmetric site-selective deposition of gold clusters on graphene oxide microsheets by performing bipolar electrochemistry at the 3D air|liquid interface present in an assembly of bubbles constituting a foam. The exfoliated graphene oxide (EGO) microsheets are introduced into a bipolar electrochemical cell filled with foam composed of a nonionic surfactant, water, and a gold metal precursor, enabling successful site selective modification with gold clusters.