A comparative study of the electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide using Vulcan and Printex carbon supports

A comparative study of two different conductive carbon-black pigments, Vulcan XC-72 R and Printex L6, for the electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) by reducing dissolved oxygen in an alkaline solution was performed. The materials were physically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD shows the presence of SO(2) and ATR-FTIR technique indicates a difference in NO and SO(2) functional groups between the two carbon pigments. XPS indicated presence of SO and NO and more oxygenated acid species on Printex L6. A rotating ring-disk electrode was used for electrochemical analysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The results showed that the Printex L6 was better than Vulcan XC-72 R for H(2)O(2) production. Results also indicate that the number of electrons transferred in the ORR for Printex L6 and Vulcan XC-72 R were 2.2 and 2.9, respectively, while the percentages of H(2)O(2) formed were 88% and 51%. Scanning electrochemistry microscopy images confirmed the higher amount of H(2)O(2) formed in the Printex L6 pigment. Printex L6 was shown to be a more promising for H(2)O(2) production than Vulcan XC-72 R, while the latter was shown to have more potential for fuel cells. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CNPq[577292/2008-0]

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

FAPESP[2005/59992-6]

FAPESP[2008/58789-0]

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

FAPESP[2009/09145-6]

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

FAPESP[2009/07859-1]

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

FAPESP[2010/04539-3]

FAPESP[2007/04759-0]

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

FAPESP[2010/07831-7]

UFABC

UFABC[2010/07831-7]

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

CAPES[2005/59992-6]

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

CAPES[2008/58789-0]

CAPES[2009/09145-6]

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

CAPES[2009/07859-1]

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

CAPES[2010/04539-3]

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

CAPES[2007/04759-0]

CAPES[2010/07831-7]

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)