Electrochemical reactivation of expanded graphite electrodes covered by oligomeric products of phenol electrooxidation

► Cathodic treatment of expanded graphite/oligomer composite modifies its structural properties and chemical composition of its surface. ► Efficiency of electrochemical reactivation of exhausted expanded graphite depends on the KOH concentration. ► Cathodic treatment of spent expanded graphite results in its marked reactivation enabling multiple use as active electrode in phenol electrooxidation.