Modified porous carbon materials as catalytic support for cathodic reduction of dioxygen

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 79; no. 3; pp. 251 - 257
• Main Authors: Biniak, Stanisław, Walczyk, Mariusz, Szymański, Grzegorz S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Applied sciences; Coal and derived products; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Functional groups; Oxygen electroreduction; Structure, chemical and physical properties; Oxygen electroreduction; Activated carbon; Functional groups; Chemical reduction; Oxygen; Carbon electrode; Surface properties; Electrode material; Catalyst activity; Porous material; Modified material; Catalyst support
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-3820(02)00182-0

Activated carbon materials were modified by generating several functional groups containing oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms on their surfaces. Surface properties of obtained carbon samples were investigated. The point of zero charge was determined by different methods. The catalytic properties of these materials in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and in the electrochemical reduction of dioxygen in aqueous electrolytes have been studied. The catalytic activity for O 2 reduction correlates with that for HO 2 − decomposition. A linear relationship was derived for the dioxygen reduction peak potential and the decomposition rate constant. Thus, the selection of active catalysts for the heterogeneous decomposition of HO 2 − is a good starting point for the design of a carbon-based oxygen cathode.