Study of electrochemical and adsorption processes on nanostructured sp2 and sp3 carbon surfaces in relation to their physico-chemical characteristics (-)

The proposed project is focused on a complex comparative study of surfaces of carbon materials with regard to their electrochemical and adsorption properties in relation to their morphology and chemical properties. Materials based on sp2 (graphite, graphene) and sp3 (diamond) hybridized carbon will be prepared and their surfaces modified during the chemical vapour deposition procedure (sp3) using mechanical and/or electrochemical procedures to create surface nanostructures and chemical termination (hydrogen, oxygen, amino groups). Surfaces will be characterized using spectroscopic, microscopic and electrochemical techniques. Particular attention will be paid to the study of the kinetics of electron transfer and adsorption of selected substances on various surface nanostructures. For this purpose, we will choose low-molecular-mass organic compounds composed of aromatic rings and electrochemically reducible or oxidizable functional groups and biomacromolecules. The goal of the project is to extend the understanding of key mechanisms to enable analytical design of electrode surfaces in order to provide optimum parameters for the detection of respective groups of substances, e.g. tailored modification of surfaces for fabrication of highly sensitive biosensors.