2. Chemical and Vibrational Properties of the CPs/GO Composites
2.1. Chemical and Vibrational Properties of GO/PIm Composites
The main advantage of using GO/PIm composites is their fast preparation, which can be performed directly on the ES. They can be synthesized through electrochemical co-deposition from a suspension of GO and imidazole (Im). After deposition, the composite can be easily electrochemically over-oxidized. During this process, multiple functional groups rich in oxygen are introduced into the imidazole unit, thus improving the permselectivity and sensor response
[9].
A GO/PIm composite has been prepared, according to the electrochemical method described by Liu, X. et al., right on the GCE ES, from 0.3 moles of imidazole dispersed in a mixture of 3 mL GO suspension (5 mg/mL) and 0.3 moles of surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS), with a potential range between −0.2 and 0.8 V. The composite material, PIm–GO, was then oxidized in 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) medium (pH = 3) at +1.8 V for 250 s
[9].
When analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy, the PImox–GO composite presented IR bands characteristic of both PIm and GO. Therefore, the IR bands assigned to the C=C vibrational mode of the aromatic ring and the C=N– stretching vibration, located at 1642 and 1468 cm
−1, respectively, were attributed to PIm, together with the bands situated at 2850 and 2918 cm
−1 belonging to the stretching vibration of C–H bonds
[46][47][46,47]. In addition, the corresponding C=C bond band (1642 cm
−1) in the PIm–GO spectrum was stronger than that for PIm. This, together with the new bands that emerged at 1204 and 3435 cm
−1, attributed to the C–O and O–H bonds of GO, respectively
[48], demonstrated the formation of the nanocomposite.
2.2. Chemical and Vibrational Properties of GO/PPy Composites
To improve its electro-conductivity, GO has been combined with PPy, in this way promoting the electrochemical response of the modified sensor due to the π–π stacking between GO layers and PPy rings
[6]. The nanocomposites were co-deposited on carbon fiber paper (CFP) using the potentiostatic method, followed by the deposition of AuNPs on the composite surface through CV. The co-deposition was performed using a mix of GO suspension (1 mg/mL), pyrrole monomer (50 mM), Na
2SO
4 0.1 M, and 20 mM SDS, ultrasonicated for 30 min at constant potential of +0.7 vs. Ag/AgCl, using a three-electrode configuration consisting of Ag/AgCl as the reference electrode, Pt wire as the counter electrode, and CFP as the working electrode.
The non-covalent functionalization pattern is also present for the GO composite with PPy (see
Figure 1); in this case, the Py monomers are attached onto the GO surface through π–π interactions, hydrogen bonds, and VW forces
[49]. After attaching to the GO surface, the pyrrole monomers were electrochemically oxidated, without stacking as a multiple layer structure. The structure of GO deposited on the electrode resembled wrinkled paper with a high active area, while PPy deposited on the top of GO could not be distinguished due to its dispersion on the GO surface, rather than stacking and overlapping as multiple layers. This was considered to occur due to the strong interaction between the GO platform and Py dissociative monomers. In contrast, the pristine PPy deposited on CFP appeared different to the composite, presenting an agglomerated structure.
Figure 1. Non-covalent functionalization of GO with PPy inside the composite (A); and UA oxidation process at the surface of the composite deposited onto ES (B).
The characteristic bands of GO and PPy were revealed in IR absorbance spectra, with the bands situated at 1730, 1614, 1217, and 1051 cm
−1 being assigned to the stretching vibration of C=O, C=C sp
2 vibration, o the stretching vibration of C–O bond from the epoxy group, and the stretching vibration of C–O from the alkoxy group, respectively, together with a large band situated at 3199 cm
−1 corresponding to O–H stretching vibration; whereas the IR bands at 1545 and 1470 cm
−1 corresponded to the stretching vibrations of C–C and C–N from the Py ring, respectively
[50]. The bands at 1178 and 921 cm
−1 corresponded to the doped state of PPy
[51], while the sharp band at 1047 cm
−1 was assigned to the deformation vibration of C–H bonds and stretching vibration of N–H bonds
[52]. The bands corresponding to GO (1792 cm
−1) and PPy (1545 and 1470 cm
−1) were also visible in GO/PPy and AuNPs@GO/PPy spectra. In the XPS spectrum of AuNPs@GO/PPy, peaks at 288.5, 286.9, 258.2, and 284.6 eV were observed, corresponding to C=O, C−O, C−N, and C−C bonds, respectively. Maxima fitting revealed that the GO structure was rich in functional groups with oxygen content. The XPS N1s spectrum was decomposed in two maxima, located at 401.5 (−N
+−) and 399.7 eV (−NH−)
[53], being considered as further proof of composite generation.
A PPy–GO composite was prepared by in situ chemical polymerization. Py (30 µL) was added to GO (40 mL, 0.5 mg/mL) and an oxidant solution (0.32 g FeCl
3 × 6 H
2O). After 4 h, on an ice bath in dark conditions, a black suspension of PPy/GO was obtained. Over 10 mg of PPy/GO powder and 10 mg of polytetraphenylporphyrin (p-TPP) were added into 4 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The resulting mixture was ultrasonicated for 2 h, in order to obtain a stable suspension of p-TPP/PPy/GO composite material. Through deposition of the resulting composite on the GCE ES, the sensor for UA detection was prepared
[5]. The PPy/GO nanocomposites presented a structure of micro-pores, thus determining an increase in active surface of the electrode. Pyrrole molecules were adsorbed on the GO surface through π interactions and electrostatic adhesion forces. The adsorption process was facilitated by a high number of functional groups with oxygen (i.e., hydroxy, carboxy, and epoxy groups), as well as active centers, on the GO surface. After polymerization, the PPy layer covered the GO surface uniformly, hindering the agglomeration of multiple layers of GO. Furthermore, the cross-linking created through the introduction of p-TPP indicated a homogeneous mixture of p-TPP and PPy–GO, leading to a uniformly distributed nanocomposite. In the p-TPP/PPy/GO, there was a non-covalent functionalization between GO and PPy, the synergic action of both main components providing high electrocatalytic properties. GO plays a fundamental role in the initiation of the in situ polymerization process of Py monomers, due to its surface being rich in functional groups with oxygen, whereas the PPy film maintains the high surface area of GO by preventing recovery of the graphite structure. According to the FTIR spectra recorded for GO, PPy/GO, and p-TPP/PPy/GO (
Figure 2), the signature of GO from the PPy/GO composite was revealed through the IR bands situated at 1738, 1397, and 1092 cm
−1, attributed to the stretching vibrations of C=O in COOH, and C–O in C–OH and C–O–C, respectively
[54][55][54,55]. Another band situated at 1635 cm
−1 was attributed to the stretching vibration of C=C which, together with the bands located at 1401 and 1090 cm
−1, assigned to C–OH (1397 cm
−1) and C–O–C (1092 cm
−1), respectively, complete the GO IR spectrum. The signature of PPy was indicated by the bands situated at 1695, 1041, and 1573 cm
−1, corresponding to the stretching vibrations of C=N and C–N from the Py ring
[56], and to the symmetric stretching vibration of the –CH
2 bond
[54][57][54,57]. These results revealed the coverage of GO nanosheets with PPy. The ratio of the D and G Raman band intensities of GO and PPy/GO were similar (i.e., 1.05), indicating the coverage of the GO sheets with PPy had no significant effect on the GO structure, the interaction between the two components being rather weak and, thus, described as a non-covalent functionalization.
Figure 2. FTIR spectra of the compounds: GO (black curve), PPY/GO (blue curve), and p-TPP/PPY/GO (red curve). Reproduced with permission from ref.
[5]; Copyright 2022 Springer.
The synthesis of the p-TPP/PPy/GO hybrid was verified through Raman spectroscopy. According to Dai, H. et al., the lines associated with the stretching vibration of the ¼ pyrrole ring and phenyl ring (1326 and 1435 cm
−1, respectively) were emphasized and accompanied by an increase in G band intensity
[58] (
Figure 3). The PPy-GO composite was characterized by a highly specific area and excellent electric conductivity, while the p-TPP microspheres within its composition can hinder nanocomposite stacking during thermal treatment, thus contributing to the synthesis of a three-dimensional structured nanocomposite.
Figure 3. Raman spectra of the compounds: GO (black curve), PPY/GO (red curve), and p-TPP/PPY/GO (blue curve). Reproduced with the permission from ref.
[5]; Copyright 2022 Springer.
2.3. Chemical and Vibrational Properties of GO/PEDOT Composites
Furthermore, GO can play the role of a dopant in certain composites, balancing the charges; for example, in the case of PEDOT/GO, it contributes to balancing the positive charges from the PEDOT backbone by increasing the amount of functional groups with oxygen
[8][59][60][8,59,60].
In order to improve the GO conductivity, which is weakened by the sp
2 interrupted network of C, new composites with PEDOT were tested, and the synergic effect of both PEDOT and GO led to improved electrocatalytic properties of the resulting sensor
[8]. A small amount of GO suspension (1 mg/mL) in deionized water mixed with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer (10 mM) was deposited on ITO and covered with Whatman paper, in order to obtain a thin layer electrochemical cell. The piece of paper retains not only the reactants, but also connects the electrode system. The electrochemical polymerization was carried out using chronoamperometry, by applying a potential of 1.2 V for a period of 150 s. At the end, a PEDOT–GO/ITO sensor was obtained
[8]. The positive charge of the resulting polymer can attract negatively charged groups from the GO surface and, so, the interaction taking place between the two components is described as non-covalent functionalization
[8] (see
Figure 4 below). During the polymerization process of the PEDOT–GO nanocomposite on ITO substrate, the composite benefits from the mechanical support of the GO layer, which provides increased stability. Analysis of the composite surface morphology revealed that the PEDOT–GO film was uniformly distributed in a random form, appearing as a porous and rough network. The free space between the layers/sheets is favorable for electron exchange between the biomolecules and the electrode substrate. Overall, combining the components PEDOT and GO resulted in an increase in the sensitivity of the sensor
[8].
Figure 4. Interaction between GO and PEDOT, inside the composite used for UA detection.
The changes observed in the UV–Vis absorption spectra of the composite, regarding the shift of the band assigned to PEDOT oligomers from 344 nm
[61] to 356 nm, together with the formation of a new broad band located between 600 and 800 nm, were assigned to polarons and bipolarons originating from the partially doped PEDOT
[62]. Sensors based on PEDOT and GO have also been prepared by a different method—namely, co-deposition—from a mixture of EDOT 10 mM solution and GO suspension (1 mg/mL), in the potential range between −0.2 and −1.2 V, during 20 CV, and at a scanning rate of 100 mV/s.
Different electrolytes, such as PBS, GO/PBS, and GO, can be used to obtain optimal combinations of the main components which could activate the electro-catalytic property of the electrode. Thus, the preparation of PEDOT–GO/GCE, according to Li, D et al.
[59], was performed in two ways: first, the polymerization process was initiated by an oxidant; second, the initiation was conducted through electro-polymerization and the resulting polymeric film could be oxidated through further electro-polymerization
[20]. Among different electrolytes for EDOT electro-polymerization on the GCE surface, PBS, GO, and GO in PBS were considered, one at a time, and it was seen that, in the presence of GO as a unique electrolyte, the current amplitude increased with the number of cycles and the initial oxidation potentials were shifted to negative values, suggesting the growth of the PEDOT–GO layer. At the end of the electro-polymerization process, the formation of a metallic film with blue shine confirmed the synthesis of the PEDOT–GO hybrid film. According to Li, D. et al., GO plays a crucial role in promoting nanocomposite formation, providing both electrolyte support for the ion conductor and counterion in the polymer doping process when the positive charges of the polymer have been neutralized. The great active surface of GO provides numerous bonding sites for deposition of the PEDOT layer. On the other hand, PEDOT improved the weak conductivity of GO, and the synergic effect of both components of the composites could lead to a significant improvement in the electrochemical and catalytic properties of the PEDOT–GO composite.
3. Chemical and Vibrational Properties of CPs/RGO
The methods of synthesis used to obtain this type of composite range from the simplest and fastest, such as electrochemical methods
[4][63][4,70], to complex routes for preparation of composites; for example, through a hydrothermal route
[27]. Among the CPs, the most-reported in combination with RGO to obtain composites used for UA detection are PPy
[64][71], PANI
[4][27][4,27], and PEDOT
[65][72].
3.1. Synthesis and Interaction between RGO and PPy Inside the Composite
According to the study published by Chen, X. et al.
[64][71], composites based on PPy and RGO were prepared starting with the deposition of RGO film on top of the GCE. Next, using a Py solution (0.2 M) in PBS medium (10 mM, pH = 7.4), within the potential range of −0.2 to 0.8 V, the PPy film was deposited on the RGO/GCE surface. The final stage involved PPy film oxidation, performed through an electrochemical process within the potential range of 0–1 V, during 4 cyclic voltammograms in NaOH 0.1 M solution. The electrochemical properties of GCE modified with OPPy (over-oxidated PPy) and RGO were tested using redox samples, including negatively charged Fe (CN)
63− and positively charged Ru (NH
3)
63+, comprising electroactive compounds of similar size. On PPy/ERGO/GCE, the charge currents increased and the redox maxima disappeared. On the other hand, when using OPPy, within OPPy/ERGO/GCE, the charge currents decreased, the ruthenium redox maxima disappeared at an oxidation potential of 0.253 V, and a reduction potential of −0.237 V was observed. The oxidation maximum increased by 4.7 times and the reduction potential by 9.3 times, compared to GCE alone. According to
[64][71], these results indicated that the ruthenium sample reached the ES and CT took place. The hybrid nanocomposite OPPy/ERGO has ion-selective properties, as the negative charges of OPPy allow only cations to reach the ES and be involved in the CT process. Comparing the electrochemical behavior with both the positively and negatively charged systems, the influence of the PPy over-oxidation process on the electrochemical activity of PPy/ERGO hybrid composite was highlighted. The negatively charged OPPy film led to electrostatic adsorption. On the PPy/RGO film surface, with the help of SEM images, it was observed that small PPy spheres covered the entire surface. This indicated the formation of a 3D polymeric structure through in situ polymerization had occurred on the ES, with the help of a graphene template
[66][73]. After performing the over-oxidation treatment on the ES, a rough, compact, and uniform film was obtained, resembling sheets of wrinkled paper with many edges.
Another method for synthesis of an RGO/PPy composite involved co-synthesis from a mixture of GO (40 mg) and cetrimonium bromide (91 mg), phosphoric acid (15 mL), and Py monomer, which was gradually added to the initial mixture and stirred for about 2 h at 15 °C
[29]. Polymerization was initiated by adding ammonium persulfate solution (APS). After 4 h of reaction, the black precipitate was filtered, washed, and dried. RGO/Pd@PPy nanocomposite was obtained by dispersion of RGO/PPy powder in ethylene glycol and 7 mg/mL PdCl
2 solution. Then, the mixture was exposed to microwaves for thermal treatment for 2 min, following which it was centrifuged and dried at 100 °C under vacuum. The RGO/Pd@PPy NPs was then drop-casted on the GCE surface. According to the Raman spectroscopy analysis, the I
D/I
G ratios reported for RGO/PPy and RGO/Pd@PPy were equal to 0.87 and 0.96, respectively, which was interpreted as proof of the functionalization of RGO with PPy–Pd
[29]. Comparing the SEM images recorded on PPy/ERGO before and after the over-oxidation process, it was found that the PPy/ERGO film had a laminated structure before oxidation, with multiple spheres of PPy covering the PPy/ERGO/GCE surface, suggesting the generation of a 3D polymeric structure on the ES. According to the results obtained by Demirkan, B., the ERGO layer, deposited before starting the polymerization of Py, plays the role of a template, guiding the entire process of the PPy film growth. At the end of the deposition process, after the over-oxidation stage, a compact, uniform, and thin hybrid film of PPy/ERGO was formed
[29].
3.2. Chemical and Vibrational Properties of RGO/PANI Composites
A PANI/RGO composite has been prepared through chemical synthesis from GO, hydrothermally treated with a mixture containing Fe(NO
3)
3, SnSO
4, and PANI, obtained through oxidative chemical polymerization from 500 mg ANI, 5 mg surfactant (Triton X-100), 20 mL ultrapure water, and 10 mL HCl solution (1 M)
[27]. According to the synthesis reported by Minta, D. et al., a mixture of ANI and surfactants, in an acidic medium, was ultrasonicated for 30 min at a temperature between 0–5 degrees, after which polymerization was initiated through the addition of ammonium persulfate. The final composite was synthesized by adding 50 mg of GO decorated with tin and iron oxides in ultrapure water and ultrasonicated during 30 min. Then, PANI powder was added, and the reaction took place in an autoclave at 180 °C, for 12 h, under stirring. After several wash/dry cycles, the resulting composite had a mass ratio 50:17:33 PANI:Fe
2O
3–SnO
2:RGO (PFSG).
The PANI/RGO formed through in situ electrochemical deposition presented a mixed morphology, having both the RGO layer structure and the PANI nanofibers distributed on the graphene layer surface, obtained after performing the ANI polymerization in HCl
[4]. The main IR bands from the PANI spectrum, located at 1390, 3445, and 2830 cm
−1, were assigned to the stretching vibrational mode of C–N, N–H, and C–H bonds, respectively. To these, the stretching vibrational mode of quinoid ring, located at 1138 cm
−1 (N–Q–N–Q) was added. The prominent absorption bands were assigned to C=C deformation from the quinoid ring (1585, 1498 cm
−1) and to the stretching vibrational mode of the C–N bond of the secondary aromatic amine
[67][63]. In the FTIR spectra of RGO/PANI, the absorption bands from 1560 and 1487 cm
−1 were assigned to the stretching vibrational mode of C=C bonds within quinoid and benzene structures, respectively
[68][74]. The bands from 1296 and 1242 cm
−1 were attributed to the stretching vibrational mode for C–N and C=N bonds, respectively
[69][75].
These bonds suggest the coverage of RGO sheets with PANI, and the results provide evidence of the functionalization type which takes place between PANI and RGO; namely, covalent functionalization
[70][76] (see
Figure 5).
Figure 5. Interaction between RGO and PANI in the composite used for UA detection.
The presence of these bands suggest the coverage of ZnO with PANI/RGO, resulting in a ZnO/PANI/RGO composite, which leads to a shift in the position of peaks and changes in their relative intensity. Regarding the ZnO/PANI/RGO FTIR spectrum, the peaks located at 1560, 1487, and 1390 cm
−1 shifted towards the higher wavenumbers of 1566, 1488.9, and 1394 cm
−1, respectively, indicating that the nitrogen atoms from amine groups (NH) and imine groups (N) had bonded with Zn
2+ through protonation and complexation reactions
[71][77]. The band of high intensity from 1394 cm
−1 and the wide band from 437 cm
−1 correspond to the stretching vibration of O–Zn–O
[72][78]. The strong stretching vibrations of C–N
+ bonds, represented by the Raman line at 1330 cm
−1, correspond to radical cationic structures, such as the protonated semi-quinoid structure. The lines situated at 1225 cm
−1 and 1170 cm
−1 could be assigned to the stretching vibration of C–N bonds in the polaronic units and in-plane bending vibrations of C–H bonds corresponding to bipolaronic shapes, respectively. The Raman lines from 829, 770, 507, and 411 cm
−1, correspond to the bending vibration of the C–N–C bond, to the quinoid ring deformation, and to in-plane and out-of-plane amine deformation, respectively. The Raman lines from 1485 and 1583 cm
−1 were assigned to the RGO signature shift from the initial position, meaning that a bond between C–N
+ and carboxylate group from the RGO sheets was created, which was formed on the basis of the π–π* interactions occurring between PANI and RGO
[73][79]. Confirmation of the incorporation of RGO into the PANI matrix during electro-polymerization was recorded through the two bands at 2770 and 3070 cm
−1, which were assigned to the respective contributions of the D and G bands, together with the contribution of the 2 D band from the Raman spectra of PANI/RGO composite
[74][75][80,81].