Stripping voltammetry at graphene oxide: The negative effect of carbonaceous debris

Abstract The synthesis of graphene oxide through the chemical exfoliation of graphite by oxidative treatment always gives rise to a significant amount of polyaromatic byproducts, which are usually termed as oxidative carbonaceous debris. The carbonaceous debris is strongly adsorbed on the surface of graphene oxide, which inevitably affects its physical and chemical properties. Herein, we investigate the influence of the adsorbed carbonaceous debris on the stripping analysis of cadmium at graphene oxide electrode. Voltammetric responses and analytical performances have been achieved and systematically compared in connection with the anodic stripping of cadmium performed at the graphene oxide electrodes in the presence and absence of the carbonaceous debris. The results suggested that the adsorption of the carbonaceous debris dramatically restricted the deposition of cadmium metal and lowered the stripping analytical performances of cadmium ions.