The influence of structure and surface chemistry of carbon materials on the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

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

Authors

Rui S. Ribeiro (Author) FEUP; Adrian M T Silva (Author) FEUP; Jose L Figueiredo (Author) FEUP; Joaquim L Faria (Author) FEUP; Helder T Gomes (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Carbon

Vol. 62

Pages: 97-108

ISSN: 0008-6223

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 49 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 78 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Materials engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-733

DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2013.06.001

Abstract (EN): Carbon materials with different structural and chemical properties, namely activated carbons, carbon xerogels, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, graphite and glycerol-based carbon materials, were tested under different operating conditions for their ability to catalyse hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposition in aqueous solutions. Activated carbons treated with concentrated sulphuric acid (ACS) are the most active catalytic materials for H2O2 decomposition in most of the conditions studied, due to the presence of sulphur containing functional groups at their surface. In addition, ACS proved to be a stable catalyst in reutilization tests for H2O2 decomposition. Methanol was used as selective scavenger of hydroxyl radicals (HO center dot), to show that activated carbons with a markedly basic character lead to the highest yield of HO center dot formed during the H2O2 decomposition process (14%, after 150 min of reaction). Overall, from the mechanistic interpretation of H2O2 decomposition, it is concluded that the presence of sulphur containing functional groups at the surface of the activated carbons improves the removal of H2O2 in aqueous solutions, but, on the other hand, the selective decomposition of H2O2 via HO center dot formation is enhanced by the presence of basic active sites on the Carbon surface.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12