Modification of Carbon Electrode Surfaces

Modification procedures for carbon electrodes are quite diverse. In this chapter, they are broadly divided into two parts: covalent and non-covalent modifications. The chapter focuses on basic features of each process of modification and how it changes the nature of carbon electrode surfaces. From the wide variety of applications of modified electrodes, a few selected articles are discussed in short at the end of each modification process to demonstrate its utility. A variety of amines have been covalently attached through their electro-oxidation onto carbon surfaces. Aryl films can be electrografted by oxidizing corresponding carboxylates. One of the most powerful ways of activating carbon materials is H-termination, a process commonly performed using hydrogen plasma. Fluorine-terminated diamond is usually used to study electrode reactions that require high overpotential. Surfactants are routinely used in the production of graphene and additionally in their stabilization with the aim of reducing the likelihood of coalescing.