Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Activity of Halogen-Doped Glassy Carbon

Chlorine- and fluorine-doped glassy carbon were synthesized via low-temperature thermal treatment of perhalogenated poly(1,3-butadiynylene-1,3-phenylene) oligomeric materials. The halogen-doped glassy carbon (DGC) materials were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Incorporation of the heteroatom dopants dramatically affected the densities, surface energies, and elastic moduli of the glassy carbon materials. The DGC materials exhibited low electrical resistivity, and their ability to function as efficient electrodes was investigated via voltammetry of the ferri/ferrocyanide couple. The halogen-doped electrodes exhibited electron-transfer rate constants for the Fe(CN)6^3−/4− redox system which were comparable to those of commonly used carbon electrodes.