The electrochemistry of CVD graphene: progress and prospects

The unique electronic properties of graphene, a one atom thick carbon layer, were reported by scientists in 2004. Since this time graphene has subsequently been found to display several more unique and fascinating electrical, optical and mechanical properties. One particular area in which graphene has reportedly made an impact is in the field of electrochemistry, such as in providing enhancements in energy storage/generation and electrochemical sensing applications. Since 2005, when graphene was shown to be fabricated by the so-called 'Scotch tape technique' where multiple layers of graphene are peeled from a slab of Highly Ordered Pyrolytic Graphite using adhesive tape and transferred onto an appropriate substrate, other fabrication methodologies of graphene have emerged. In the majority of cases, graphene is produced and supplied in solution, such that graphene has to be immobilised onto the desired surface. A fabrication process where graphene is grown upon a substrate and is ready for implementation is the Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) of graphene. In this perspective article we overview recent developments in the fabrication of CVD graphene and explore its utilisation in electrochemistry, considering its fundamental understanding through to applications in sensing and energy related devices.