The effect of debris on the adsorption and electron-transfer capacity at the interface of oxidized carbon nanotubes

In this study, we evaluated the effects of debris – generated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) subjected to acid oxidation – on the capacities, kinetics and adsorption mechanism. For this, three different MWCNTs were employed: a pristine unmodified MWCNT; an oxidized MWCNT (obtained by common procedure and without the removal of debris); and an oxidized MWCNT without debris (obtained after reflux in alkaline medium). In addition, methylene blue (MB) has been used as model adsorbate in these experiments. As a second goal, the effects of debris on MB faradic electron transfer at the MWCNT interface were also investigated using cyclic voltammetry and cyclic chronopotenciometry techniques. Finally, we have shown that debris impacts the adsorption capacity, kinetics and limits the performance of MWCNTs as electrodes.
Source: Chemical Engineering Journal - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research