Preparation of graphene nanoribbon carbon electrodes and investigation of electroanalyticalproperties

Graphene nanoribbons supported carboneceous nanomaterials were synthesized as novel electrode material. Graphene nanoribbons were synthesized vith chemical oxidation methods from multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The nanoribbons, unzipped nanotubes, were added in coal tar pithch and then were carbonized on glassy carbon substrate with high temperature tube furnace at 1000 ºC under N2 atmosphere. The nanoribbons, carbonaceous materials were characterized with some techniques such as TEM, SEM, XRD, IR and electrochemical methods. Electrochemical properties of the nanoribbon supported carbonaceous electrode were investigated via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedans spectroscopy. Electrochemical performance of the nanomaterials was tested as sensor applications. The modified electrode was used for determination of dopamine and uric acid via differential pulse voltammetry in the presence of ascorbic acid. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) of the method was calculated as 3 nM for dopamine and 6 nM for uric acid with the linear calibration curves ranged from 2 M to 20 M. The method shows good reproducibility and stability and was successfully applied to measure dopamine and uric acid in human urine samples.