Oxygen reduction on carbon nanomaterial-modified glassy carbon electrodes in alkaline solution

Electroreduction of oxygen in alkaline solution on glassy carbon (GC) electrodes modified with different carbon nanomaterials has been studied. Electrochemical experiments were carried out in 0.1 M KOH employing the rotating disk electrode and rotating ring-disk electrode methods. The GC disk electrodes were modified with carbon nanomaterials using polytetrafluoroethylene as a binder. Four different carbon nanomaterials were used: multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon black powder, and two carbide-derived carbons (CDC). For the first time, the electrocatalytic behavior of CDC materials toward oxygen reduction is explored. Electrochemical characterization of the materials showed that all the carbon nanomaterial-modified GC electrodes are highly active for the reduction of oxygen in alkaline solutions.