Oxygen reduction reaction at few-layer graphene structures obtained via plasma-assisted electrochemical exfoliation of graphite

• Published in: Journal of electroanalytical chemistry (Lausanne, Switzerland) Vol. 851; p. 113440
• Main Authors: Vasiliev, V.P., Kotkin, A.S., Kochergin, V.K., Manzhos, R.A., Krivenko, A.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 10.10.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Carbonyl groups; Carbonyls; Catalytic activity; Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite; Exfoliation; Few-layer graphene structures; Functional groups; Graphene; Graphite; Oxygen reduction reaction; Oxygen reduction reactions; Platinum-free catalysts; Silver chloride; Solution plasma; Termites; Few-layer graphene structures; Solution plasma; Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite; Oxygen reduction reaction; Platinum-free catalysts
• ISSN: 1572-6657; 1873-2569
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2019.113440

Few-layer graphene structures with a surface decorated with oxygen functional groups and sulfur-containing groups have been obtained during electrochemical exfoliation of graphite performed in the cathodic and anodic plasma modes. Conductivity of a synthesized carbon material has been estimated and its catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction has been studied. For the few-layer graphene structures synthesized in the anodic plasma mode, a considerable catalytic effect has been observed, which involved decrease in overpotential of the oxygen reduction and increase in contribution of a four-electron oxygen reduction in the overall process. This effect is shown to be determined by the surface carbonyl groups which are the active centres of the four-electron oxygen reduction at potentials less than −700 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. [Display omitted] •Plasma-assisted electrochemical exfoliation of graphite was carried out.•Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite results in few-layer graphene structures.•XPS analysis reveals carbonyl groups on the surface of obtained carbon particles.•Either cathodic or anodic plasma mode leads to the different content of CO groups.•Surface concentration of carbonyl groups determines catalytic activity towards ORR.