Carbon ceramic electrodes obtained by basic catalysis of sol–gel process

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 112; pp. 783 - 790
• Main Authors: Módolo, Marcio Luiz, Valandro, Silvano Rodrigo, Pessoa, Christiana Andrade, Fujiwara, Sérgio Toshio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Basic catalysis; Carbon; Carbon ceramic electrodes; Catalysis; Ceramics; Electrodes; Factorial design; Fourier transforms; Infrared spectroscopy; Precursors; Sol gel process; Sol–gel process; Basic catalysis; Factorial design; Carbon ceramic electrodes
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2013.09.028

•The CCE prepared by basic catalysis of sol–gel process are more porous.•The synthesized electrodes showed higher sensitivity.•The preparation conditions of CCE were obtained with factorial design. The preparation and characterization of carbon ceramic electrodes (CCEs) produced by the sol–gel method was reported. Different parameters for the manufacture of CCE were studied. Some factors such as the preparation method, type of precursor and catalyst, directly influence the conductive properties, mechanical and morphological characteristics of CCEs, and these are reflected in their electrochemical response. Such factors were evaluated using a 24 (two factors and four levels) factorial design analyzing the anodic peak currents (Ipa) and the variation of peak potential (ΔEp) responses of the respective cyclic voltammograms in presence of potassium ferrocyanide. Analyzing the set of results obtained from cyclic voltammetry, a higher reversibility was observed for the electrodes prepared by basic catalysis using methyltrimethoxysilicate, MTMS, as Si precursor. It is suggested that the obtained material presents a porous morphological structure, providing higher reversibility and better definition of voltammetric peaks. These electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XDR).