Oxidized few layer graphene and graphite as metal-free catalysts for aqueous sulfide oxidation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Lemos, BRS (Author) Other; Teixeira, IF (Author) Other; B.F. Machado (Author) Other; Alves, MRA (Author) Other; De Mesquita, JP (Author) Other; Ribeiro, RR (Author) Other; Bacsa, RR (Author) Other; Serp, P (Author) Other; Lago, RM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Materials Chemistry A

Vol. 1

Pages: 9491-9497

ISSN: 2050-7488

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge

Scopus - 25 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-G1W

DOI: 10.1039/c3ta10541e

Abstract (EN): Few layer graphene and natural graphite were chemically modified by oxidation with HNO3 at 80 and 140 °C and used to promote the oxidation of sulfide ions in aqueous solutions. TEM, potentiometric titration, XRD, BET and Raman spectroscopy show that HNO3 treatment even at 140 °C did not modify the graphene and graphite morphologies but produced significant amounts of different oxygen surface groups. The presence of these groups on few layer graphene and graphite strongly increased the S aq 2- oxidation, showing activities comparable to a high surface area activated carbon with a similar amount of oxygen surface groups. The obtained results suggest that the sulfide oxidation efficiency requires a balance between two important effects, i.e. the presence of oxygen functionalities to initiate the Saq 2- oxidation and the electrical conductivity that is important to further transfer the electrons removed from sulfide. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific