THE KINETICS OF THE OXYGEN-PEROXIDE COUPLE ON CARBON
Abstract
The reduction of O2 to HO2(-) and the reverse process were studied in alkaline solutions on pyrolytic carbon as well as porous carbon and graphite in which the pores were filled with paraffin in order to restrict the electrochemical reactions to the outermost surface. The rotating disc technique was used with the pyrolytic carbon bon. With both types of carbon the cathodic polarization was found to be a linear-reaction of log i/(iL -i) where i sub L is the diffusion limiting current density. The anodic measure ments on the paraffin-filled electrodes indicate a kinetically controlled limiting current density which is directly proportional to the HO2(-) concentration and independent of hydroxyl concentration for 0.1 to 4.0 M KOH. The kinetic significance of the results are discussed relative to possible mechanisms. The cathodic data support the hypothesis that the rate-determining step is an one- electron process leading to the formation of a peroxide radical intermediate O2(-) or O2H which is probably adsorbed on the electrode surface.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0409121
Entities
People
- Ernest B. Yeager
- K. V. Rao
- Philip Krouse
Organizations
- Case Western Reserve University