The use of cyclic voltammetry to assess the activity of carbon materials for hydrogen peroxide decomposition

It is known that carbon materials catalyze hydrogen peroxide decomposition in aqueous media. However, the catalytic activity of a particular carbon is dependent on various coupled structural, textural and chemical characteristics of the material, such that, formerly, the prediction of activity has not been possible. Here, the application of cyclic voltammetry (CV) is introduced as a rapid and conclusive technique in this respect. Three classes of carbon materials have been investigated: activated carbons, carbon blacks, and graphites, including some selected acid-washed samples which were used to examine the roles of mineral matter and surface oxygen. Characterization by electrochemical capacity measurements with CV, together with catalytic activity tests for hydrogen peroxide decomposition, reveal that the exchange current is directly proportional to the catalytic activity for hydrogen peroxide decomposition. That is, a linear dependence was found between this variable and the apparent first order catalytic decomposition rate constant. CV measurements with modified carbons also allow the elucidation of the effects of physicochemical characteristics of carbon materials on the rate of hydrogen peroxide decomposition.