Recent advances in graphite powder-based electrodes

• Published in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 2013-04, Vol.405 (11), p.3525-3539
• Main Authors: Bellido-Milla, Dolores, Cubillana-Aguilera, Laura Ma, El Kaoutit, Mohammed, Hernández-Artiga, Ma Purificación, Hidalgo-Hidalgo de Cisneros, José Luis, Naranjo-Rodríguez, Ignacio, Palacios-Santander, José Ma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 21st century; Analytical Chemistry; Binders; Biochemistry; Biosensors; Carbon; Catalysis; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composite materials; Design and construction; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Electrons; Energy conversion; Engineering design; Equipment and supplies; Food Science; Graphite; Green chemistry; Laboratory Medicine; Mathematical analysis; Methods; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Reproducibility; Review; Sensors; Sol gel process; State of the art
• ISSN: 1618-2642; 1618-2650
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-6816-2

Graphite powder-based electrodes have the electrochemical performance of quasi-noble metal electrodes with intrinsic advantages related to the possibility of modification to enhance selectivity and their easily renewable surface, with no need for hazardous acids or bases for their cleaning. In contrast with commercial electrodes, for example screen-printed or sputtered-chip electrodes, graphite powder-based electrodes can also be fabricated in any laboratory with the form and characteristics desired. They are also readily modified with advanced materials, with relatively high reproducibility. All these characteristics make them a very interesting option for obtaining a large variety of electrodes to resolve different kinds of analytical problems. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art, advantages, and disadvantages of graphite powder-based electrodes in electrochemical analysis in the 21st century. It includes recent trends in carbon paste electrodes, devoting special attention to the use of emergent materials as new binders and to the development of other composite electrodes. The most recent advances in the use of graphite powder-modified sol–gel electrodes are also described. The development of sonogel–carbon electrodes and their use in electrochemical sensors and biosensors is included. These materials extend the possibilities of applications, especially for industrial technology-transfer purposes, and their development could affect not only electroanalytical green chemistry but other interesting areas also, for example catalysis and energy conversion and storage.