Electrochemical electrode

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrochemical electrode (100) which comprises: - a stack (200) delimited by two main faces (201, 202) and a contour (203) connecting said faces, the stack comprising, between its main faces, an alternation of graphene sheets (300) and dielectric layers (400) and such that each graphene sheet is intercalated between two dielectric layers, the edge of the graphene sheets being partly exposed to the external environment at a section, called the active section (204), of the contour, said active section (204) forming an electrochemically sensitive zone of the electrochemical electrode, - one or more electrodes, called contact electrodes (500), electrically contacting the graphene sheets (300), and intended to collect an electrical signal resulting from an electrochemical reaction likely to occur at the active section (204). Figure for abstract: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTROCHEMICAL ELECTRODE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrochemistry, and in particular that of electrochemical electrodes.

[0002] The present invention proposes, in particular, an electrochemical electrode provided with graphene sheets and with improved sensitivity compared to electrochemical electrodes known from the state of the art. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] First isolated in 2004, graphene has since attracted growing interest. Its two-dimensional structure, obtained by a hexagonal arrangement of carbon atoms, gives graphene remarkable properties.

[0004] Graphene has, in particular, very high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. It is also optically transparent, has excellent thermal conductivity and is biocompatible.

[0005] These unique properties make it possible in particular to meet requirements in terms of electrical sensitivity, size reduction, and signal-to-noise ratio stability relating to the development of a new generation of sensors.

[0006] Among these, electrochemical sensors are the subject of constant attention and efforts in order to improve their sensitivity while reducing their size.

[0007] However, when it has few to no defects, graphene suffers from chemical inertia in its plane so that its implementation as an electrochemically sensitive material in an electrochemical electrode remains problematic.

[0008] A distinction between the plane and the edge of a graphene sheet, however, allows this observation to be tempered.

[0009] Indeed, in the study [1] cited at the end of the description, a difference in electrochemical reactivity could be observed between the edges and the plane of a graphene sheet. In particular, the authors of this study were able to observe an electrochemical reactivity of the edge of a graphene sheet much higher than that of its plane, and in particular comparable to that of a glassy carbon electrochemical electrode. This difference in behavior is essentially due to the presence of oxygen groups, at the level of said edge, which locally increase the electronic density, and thus allow a faster electronic transfer when species interact electrochemically with said edge.

[0010] Furthermore, the edges behave like electrochemical microelectrodes towards which the reactants diffuse convergently. This phenomenon of convergent diffusion, faster than a planar diffusion phenomenon likely to be observed at the plane of a graphene sheet, also makes the edge more sensitive to the presence of said reagents.

[0011] In parallel with this study, and in order to improve the reactivity of graphene in the plane, it was proposed to transform the latter into reduced graphene oxide or graphene oxide.

[0012] However, this transformation involves aggressive and complex chemical processes to implement, which affect both the electrical and mechanical integrity of the sheet concerned.

[0013] Furthermore, the performance of electrochemical electrodes made of reduced graphene oxide and / or graphene oxide is limited by an unfavorable signal-to-noise ratio. This effect is notably caused by the presence of defects and oxygen groups in the plane which alter the conductivity of the sheets.

[0014] Furthermore, the formation of reduced graphene oxide and graphene oxide remains complex and has a cost that is not always compatible with the intended applications.

[0015] An aim of the present invention is therefore to propose an electrochemical electrode which comprises graphene sheets and whose performance is improved compared to the electrochemical electrodes known from the state of the art.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is also to provide an electrochemical electrode which comprises graphene sheets and which has improved sensitivity compared to electrochemical electrodes known from the state of the art. Presentation of the invention

[0017] The aims of the present invention are, at least in part, achieved by an electrochemical electrode which comprises: - a stack delimited by two main faces and a contour connecting said faces, the stack comprising, between its main faces, an alternation of graphene sheets and dielectric layers and such that each graphene sheet is intercalated between two dielectric layers, the edge of the graphene sheets being partly exposed to the external environment at a section, called the active section, of the contour, said active section forming an electrochemically sensitive zone of the electrochemical electrode, - one or more electrodes, called contact electrodes, electrically contacting the graphene sheets, and intended to collect an electrical signal resulting from an electrochemical reaction likely to occur at the level of the active section.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the dielectric layers have a thickness at least three times greater than that of the graphene sheets.

[0019] According to one embodiment, one or more contact electrodes are in contact with the graphene sheets at a section of the contour, called the contact section.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the stack comprises one or more openings opening out at at least one of the main faces, and in which one or more contact electrodes come into contact with the graphene sheets.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the one or more contact electrodes comprises a single contact electrode contacting the set of graphene sheets.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the edge of the graphene sheets partly exposed to the external environment at the active section is hydrogenated or oxidized.

[0023] According to one embodiment, each graphene sheet comprises a plurality of graphene monolayers between which Li or Na ions are inserted at the edge exposed to the external environment.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the edges of the graphene sheets exposed to the external environment are flush with the contour at the level of the active section.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the graphene sheets are projected relative to the contour at the level of the active section so as to expose to the external environment a section of the faces of the sheets, called the exposed section, which extends from their edge by a predetermined distance, advantageously the predetermined distance is between 1 nm and 100 nm.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the exposed section is functionalized by chemical and / or biological species.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the stack rests, by one of these main faces, on a support on which biological species are likely to graft and interact with the edges of the graphene sheets at the level of the active section.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the dielectric layers comprise at least one of the materials chosen from: SiO2, HfO2, A12O3, Si3N4.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the dielectric layers comprise at least one of the materials chosen from: Polymethyl methacrylate, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl chloride. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages will appear in the following description of an electrochemical electrode according to the invention, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0031] [fig. 1] is a schematic representation of an electrochemical electrode according to a first variant of a first embodiment of the present invention, in particular the electrochemical electrode is represented according to a perpen- dicular to the main faces of said electrode;

[0032] [fig.2] is a schematic representation of an electrochemical electrode according to a second variant of a first embodiment of the present invention, in particular the electrochemical electrode is represented according to a section plane perpendicular to the main faces of said electrode;

[0033] [fig.3] is a representation according to a main face and in transparency of a example of a contact strip arrangement;

[0034] [fig.4] is a schematic representation of an electrochemical electrode according to the first variant of a first embodiment of the present invention and based on a support on which biological species “C” are capable of grafting and interacting with the edges of the graphene sheets at the level of the active section;

[0035] [fig.5] is a schematic representation of an electrochemical electrode according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in particular the electrochemical electrode is represented according to a section plane perpendicular to the main faces of said electrode;

[0036] [fig.6a]

[0037] [fig.6b]

[0038] [fig.6c]

[0039] [fig.6d]

[0040] [fig.6e] are schematic representations of the different stages involved in the formation of a graphene layer on a copper substrate and its transfer to a host substrate;

[0041] [fig.7a]

[0042] [fig.7b]

[0043] [fig.7c]

[0044] [fig.7d] are illustrations of the different stages that can be implemented work for the manufacture of the electrochemical electrode according to a first example of the process;

[0045] [fig.8a]

[0046] [fig.8b] are step illustrations that can also be implemented according to a variant of the first method example;

[0047] [fig.9a]

[0048] [fig.9b]

[0049] [fig.9c]

[0050] [fig.9d]

[0051] [fig.9e]

[0052] [fig.9f] are illustrations of the different stages that can be implemented work for the manufacture of the electrochemical electrode according to a second example of process.

[0053] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

[0054] According to the present invention, it is a question of implementing graphene sheets. These are however not limited to a single layer of graphene. In particular, graphene sheets comprising up to four, or even ten, layers of graphene may be considered.

[0055] Furthermore, and without it being necessary to specify it, a graphene sheet comprises two faces, called, respectively, first face and second face, connected by an edge.

[0056] The present invention relates to an electrochemical electrode formed by a stack provided with a plurality of graphene sheets and a plurality of dielectric layers. In particular, the stack is formed by alternating graphene sheets and dielectric layers, and such that each of the graphene sheets is intercalated between two dielectric layers.

[0057] The stack thus formed comprises two main faces which are essentially parallel and connected by a contour.

[0058] The edges of the graphene sheets are, at least in part, exposed to the external environment at a section of the contour, called the active section, which forms an electrochemically sensitive zone of the electrochemical electrode.

[0059] By “electrochemically sensitive zone” is meant a zone which is likely to be the site of electrochemical reactions by exchange of electrical charges.

[0060] The electrochemical electrode further comprises one or more electrodes, called contact electrodes, electrically contacting the graphene sheets so as to collect an electrical signal resulting from an electrochemical reaction likely to occur at the active section.

[0061] In Figures 1 and 2, an example of an electrochemical electrode 100 can be seen according to, respectively, a first variant and a second variant of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] The electrochemical electrode 100 comprises a stack 200 (or a membrane) delimited by two main faces 201, 202, and a contour 203 connecting said main faces 201, 202.

[0063] The stack 200 comprises in particular, from one of its main faces 201 to the other of its main faces 202, an alternation of graphene sheets 300 and dielectric layers 400 and such that each graphene layer 300 is intercalated between two dielectric layers.

[0064] In other words, the stack 200 is terminated at each of its main faces 201, 202 by a dielectric layer 401, 402.

[0065] The dielectric layers 400 may comprise at least one of the selected materials among: SiO2, HfO2, A12O3, Si3N4.

[0066] The dielectric layers 400 may comprise at least one of the materials chosen from: Polymethyl methacrylate, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl chloride.

[0067] Furthermore, the edge 301 of the graphene sheets 300 is partly exposed to the external environment at a section, called active section 204, of the contour, said active section 204 forming an electrochemically sensitive zone of the electrochemical electrode.

[0068] The electrochemical electrode 100 also comprises a single electrode, called the contact electrode 500, electrically contacting the graphene sheets 300. The contact electrode 500 is in particular intended to collect an electrical signal resulting from an electrochemical reaction likely to occur at the level of the active section 204.

[0069] According to the first variant, illustrated in FIG. 1, the contact electrode 500 is in contact with the graphene sheets 300 at a section of the contour, called the contact section 205. It is understood, without it being necessary to specify it, that the contact section 205 is distinct from the active section 204.

[0070] According to the second variant, illustrated in FIG. 2, the stack 200 comprises an opening 206 opening out at the level of at least one of the main faces, and in which said contact electrode 500 comes into contact with the graphene sheets 300.

[0071] In operation, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the electrochemical electrode 100 according to the present invention is immersed in a liquid medium, and in particular an aqueous medium, which comprises species in a first oxidation state called “A”.

[0072] These species, capable of exchanging charges with the electrochemical electrode 100, diffuse convergently towards the edges of the graphene sheets exposed to the external environment at the level of the active zone.

[0073] As soon as they are in proximity, and more particularly in a diffusion sphere centered on the edge concerned, the latter exchange one or more charges with the graphene sheet and thus adopt a second oxidation state called “B”.

[0074] In this regard, in order to avoid overlap between adjacent diffusion spheres, the dielectric layers may have a thickness at least three times greater than that of the graphene sheets.

[0075] The exchange of charges then generates a current which flows along the plane formed by the sheet and which is detected at the contact electrode 500.

[0076] This detected current is, in this respect, free from disturbances or electrochemical noise likely to occur at the level of the first and second faces of the graphene sheets. Indeed, the masking of the first face and the second face by the dielectric layers prevents any interaction between said faces and the species in solution so that the current circulating within the graphene sheets is little or not affected.

[0077] In other words, the protection of the faces of the graphene sheets makes it possible to reduce, or even prevent, the electrochemical noise likely to be generated at the level of the first and second faces, and consequently improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0078] Furthermore, the edges of the graphene sheets exposed at the active section 204, which are very reactive due to their defective nature, give the electrochemical electrode 100 improved sensitivity compared to the electrodes known from the state of the art.

[0079] Finally, the edges of the sheets, which behave like microelectrodes, promote convergent diffusion. This convergent diffusion of the species in solution, which is much faster than a planar diffusion phenomenon likely to be observed at the level of the plane of a graphene sheet, is another factor in improving the sensitivity of the electrochemical electrode.

[0080] According to a particularly advantageous aspect, the implementation of a plurality of graphene sheets (for example at least two sheets, advantageously 3 sheets) makes it possible to increase the cumulative length of the edges exposed to the external environment at the level of the active section 204, and consequently to improve the sensitivity of the electrochemical electrode 100.

[0081] Advantageously, the contact electrode may be in contact with each of the graphene sheets in proximity to the active section 204.

[0082] In this regard, the contact electrode, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may comprise a contact strip 501 which extends along an interface formed between the sheet to be contacted and one or other of the dielectric layers between which said sheet is interposed. In particular, the contact strip 501 may be at a relatively small distance, for example between 0.1 μm and 100 μm, from the edge 301 of the graphene sheet which it contacts so as to reduce the electrical resistance between the edge and said electrode.

[0083] According to another particularly advantageous aspect, the edge of the graphene sheets partly exposed to the external environment at the active section 204 can be either hydrogenated or oxidized. It is thus possible to modulate the electrochemical reactivity of the edges exposed at the active section 204 by functionalizing them.

[0084] According to yet another aspect, each graphene sheet may comprise a plurality of graphene monolayers between which Li or Na ions are inserted at the edge exposed to the external environment.

[0085] This type of insertion makes it possible to give graphene reducing properties.

[0086] The edges of the graphene sheets exposed to the external environment may be flush with the contour at the active section.

[0087] Alternatively, these same edges may be projected relative to the contour at the level of the active section so as to expose to the external environment a section of the faces of the sheets, called the exposed section, which extends from their edge by a predetermined distance, advantageously the predetermined distance is between 1 nm and 100 nm. Thus, and advantageously, the exposed section may be functionalized by chemical and / or biological species.

[0088] In a particularly advantageous manner, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the stack 200 rests, by one of these main faces 202, on a support 600 on which biological species “C” are capable of grafting and interacting with the edges of the graphene sheets at the level of the active section 204. It is thus possible to probe the biological activity of the species “C”.

[0089] Figure 5 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the present invention that differs from the first embodiment in that the electrochemical electrode 100 comprises a plurality of contact electrodes 500a, 500b, and 500c each contacting a different graphene sheet.

[0090] This second embodiment essentially incorporates all the elements and characteristics presented in the context of the first embodiment.

[0091] The contact electrodes 500a, 500b, and 500c may in particular comprise contact strips 501a, 501b, and 501c each extending along an interface formed between the sheet to be contacted and one or other of the dielectric layers between which said sheet is interposed.

[0092] This configuration makes it possible to independently and locally probe the electrochemical processes taking place on the edges exposed at the level of the active section 204 of each graphene sheet.

[0093] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the electrochemical electrode 100.

[0094] In particular, the method uses a step of forming and transferring a graphene sheet onto a host substrate 14 illustrated in FIGS. 6a to 6e.

[0095] In this regard, those skilled in the art will find in document [2] cited at the end of the description all the information necessary for the formation of graphene sheets 11 by CVD on a copper substrate 10 (figure 6a).

[0096] A polymer layer 12 may then be formed by means of a spin coater on the graphene sheet (Figure 6b). The polymer layer may comprise poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), or polycarbonate (PC).

[0097] The invention should not, however, be limited to the implementation of a polymer layer and it may be envisaged to implement materials of another nature. For example, the layer 12 may comprise a mineral dielectric, a metal (for example gold).

[0098] The formation of the polymer layer is followed by a removal step, for example by etching in a liquid etching bath 13, of the copper substrate 10 (figure 6c) so that the graphene layer 11 is no longer held only by the polymer layer 12.

[0099] Finally, the graphene sheet 11 can be transferred onto a host substrate, for example made of dielectric material (Figures 6d and 6e). This transfer notably comprises the assembly of the stack formed by the graphene layer 11 and the polymer layer 12 with a host substrate 14 (Figure 6d).

[0100] The polymer layer 12 can then be removed by etching, for example by dry or liquid etching (figure 6e).

[0101] The steps thus described are widely implemented within the framework of a first example of a method for manufacturing the electrochemical electrode 100 provided with a single contact electrode (illustrated in FIGS. 7a to 7d).

[0102] The method notably comprises a step a) of forming a stack 200 which comprises an alternation of graphene layers 11 and dielectric layers 15 on the host substrate 14.

[0103] This step a) comprises the execution of the following cycle of steps: al) formation and transfer of a graphene layer a2) formation of a dielectric layer covering the graphene layer.

[0104] Steps a1) and a2) are repeated as many times as necessary to form the stack 200 according to the terms of the present invention (figure 7a).

[0105] Step a) is followed by a step b) (illustrated in figures 7b and 7c) of defining a 500M contact electrode pattern.

[0106] Step b) includes in particular the following steps: bl) a photolithography step intended to define the contact electrode pattern, this step comprising in particular the formation of a resin layer and its exposure to radiation through a lithographic photomask (figure 7b); b2) a step of etching the stack 200 through the pattern 500M (figure 7c).

[0107] The contact electrode 500 is then formed during a step c) by metal deposition intended to fill the volume of the etched stack. Step c) also comprises removal of the resin mask and the metal layer which covers it by liquid etching.

[0108] The method finally comprises a step d) of defining the contour 203 of the stack 200 (figure 7d) carried out in particular by etching.

[0109] This final etching makes it possible in particular to discover the edges of graphene sheets at the level of the active surface.

[0110] According to a variant of this first example, it may be considered to passivate the contact electrode during a step cl) of passivation of the contact electrode carried out before step d).

[0111] In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 8a, a passivation of the electrode which comprises the formation of a passivation layer 20 covering the electrode, and thus makes it possible to protect the latter during the execution of step d) of defining the contour 203 (FIG. 8b).

[0112] The invention also relates to a second example of a method for manufacturing the electrochemical electrode 100. This second example is notably implemented for the manufacturing of an electrochemical electrode provided with a plurality of contact electrodes 500a, 500b, 500c individually contacting each of the graphene sheets.

[0113] This second example of the method essentially repeats the steps described in the context of the first example.

[0114] However, the contact electrodes 500a, 500b, 500c are formed, in the context of this second example, at the same time as the stack 200.

[0115] The method notably comprises a step a) of forming a stack 200 which comprises an alternation of graphene layers 11 and dielectric layers 15 on the host substrate 14 and contact electrodes 500a, 500b, 500c.

[0116] This step a) includes the execution of the following cycle of steps: aO) formation of a contact electrode 500a, 500b, 500c on the host substrate 14 (figure 9a) al) formation and transfer of a graphene layer 11 and partially covering the contact electrode (figure 9b), a2) formation of a dielectric layer 12 covering the graphene layer (figure 9c), a3) formation of an opening in the dielectric layer so as to expose to the external environment a section of the contact electrode not covered by the graphene layer (figure 9c).

[0117] Steps a0) to a3) are repeated as many times as necessary to form the stack 200 and the contact electrodes 500a, 500b, 500c.

[0118] Step a3) is however carried out in such a way as to also expose to the external environment the sections of the contact electrodes uncovered during the previous cycles.

[0119] Thus, at the end of the execution of a plurality of cycles, a stack 200 provided with an alternation of graphene layers and dielectric layers is obtained. The stack further comprises the contact electrodes 500a, 500b, and 500c individually contacting each of the graphene layers (Figure 9d).

[0120] The method finally comprises a step c) of defining the contour 203 of the stack 200 (figures 9e and 9f) executed in particular by etching.

[0121] Step c) includes in particular the following steps: cl) a step of forming a mask 700 defining the final pattern of the stack 200 (figure 9e) c2) an etching step so as to form the contour 203 of the stack 200 (figure 9f). REFERENCES

[0122] [1] Yuan et al., “The edge- and basal-plane-specific electrochemistry of a single- layer graphene sheet”, Scientific Reports, 3(1), (2013).

[0123] [2] Liu. O et. Al., "Emerging trends in 2D nanotechnology that are redefining our understanding of “Nanocomposites””, Nano Today, 21, pp. 18-40, (2018).

Claims

Claims

1. Electrochemical electrode (100) which comprises: - a stack (200) delimited by two main faces (201, 202) and a contour (203) connecting said faces, the stack comprising, between its main faces, an alternation of graphene sheets (300) and dielectric layers (400) and such that each graphene sheet is intercalated between two dielectric layers, the edge (301) of the graphene sheets being partly exposed to the external environment at a section, called the active section (204), of the contour (201), said active section (204) forming an electrochemically sensitive zone of the electrochemical electrode, the edges of the graphene sheets exposed to the external environment are flush with the contour at the active section (203), - one or more electrodes, called contact electrodes (500, 500a, 500b, 500c), electrically contacting the graphene sheets (300),and intended to collect an electrical signal resulting from an electrochemical reaction likely to occur at the active section (204).,

2. An electrochemical electrode according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric layers (400) have a thickness at least three times greater than that of the graphene sheets (300).

3. Electrochemical electrode according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more contact electrodes (500, 500a, 500b, 500c) are in contact with the graphene sheets at a section of the contour, called the contact section (205).

4. Electrochemical electrode according to claim 1 or 2, in which the stack comprises one or more openings (206) opening out at at least one of the main faces (201, 202), and in which one or more contact electrodes (500, 500a, 500b, 500c) come into contact with the graphene sheets (300).

5. An electrochemical electrode according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the one or more contact electrodes (500) comprises a single contact electrode contacting the set of graphene sheets (300).

6. An electrochemical electrode according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the edge (301) of the graphene sheets (300) which are partly exposed to the external environment at the active section (203) are hydrogenated or oxidized.

7. An electrochemical electrode according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each graphene sheet (300) comprises a plurality of graphene monolayers between which Li or Na ions are inserted at the edge exposed to the external environment.

8. Electrochemical electrode according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the stack rests, by one of its main faces, on a support on which biological species are capable of grafting and interacting with the edges of the graphene sheets at the level of the active section.

9. Electrochemical electrode according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the dielectric layers comprise at least one of the materials chosen from: SiO2, HfO2, A12O3, Si3N4.

10. Electrochemical electrode according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the dielectric layers comprise at least one of the materials chosen from: Polymethyl methacrylate, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl chloride.

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