Surface area measurements of graphene and graphene oxide samples: dopamine adsorption as a complement or alternative to methylene blue?

Journal article

The possible use of dopamine, monitored spectroscopically, as a probe molecule for surface area measurements is investigated. Using high surface area carbon materials, including both graphene and graphene oxide (GO), the method is established as a complement or alternative to methylene blue or conventional N2 (BET) adsorption. The molecular reorientation (flat to vertical) of dopamine on the graphene and GO surface provides a direct indication of the monolayer coverage and the rapid adsorption (within 10 min to saturation) offers high convenience. The smaller dopamine molecule size and less self-repulsion compared to methylene blue can be considered to yield a more closely-packed surface coverage on the materials of interest. Especially for materials with complex morphologies and internal structures, the dopamine adsorption will therefore lead to a more ‘correct’ measurement.

Authors: Chen, L; Batchelor-Mcauley, C; Rasche, B; Johnston, C; Hindle, N

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Applied Materials Today More from this journal
• Volume: 18
• Article number: 100506
• Publication date: 2019-11-22
• Acceptance date: 2019-11-10
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2019.100506
• ISSN: 2352-9407
• Language: English
• Keywords: surface area characterisation; FFR; graphene; dopamine adsorption; graphene oxide; UV-vis spectroscopy