The Effect of Carbon Black Electrocatalyst Type and Ink Composition on the Production of H₂O₂ with Gas Diffusion Electrodes

Author

Alexander Gex, Clemson UniversityFollow

Date of Award

8-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Engineering and Science

Committee Member

Sudeep Popat

Committee Member

David Ladner

Committee Member

David Freedman

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a powerful oxidizing agent that produces no known disinfection by products (DBPs), making it an ideal candidate for water treatment if produced efficiently. This study compared the efficiency of H₂O₂ electrosynthesis between different conductive carbon electrocatalysts, binding agents, and current densities, with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as the electrolyte in a gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The results showed that for any given binding agent, the electrocatalyst that produced the most H₂O₂ changed based upon the current density applied to the cathodes. A current density dependent impact of Nafion as the binding agent on both Printex L6 and Vulcan XC 72 electrocatalysts was also observed, with Printex L6 performing best without Nafion used at all at 1mA/cm2 and 0.5 mA/cm2. The best performance for Vulcan XC 72 was achieved using 0.233 mg Nafion/mg C at 1mA/cm2 and 0.5 mA/cm2. Cathode performance was found to be independent of the cathode porosity, as the porosity of the different electrocatalysts were similar.

Recommended Citation

Gex, Alexander, "The Effect of Carbon Black Electrocatalyst Type and Ink Composition on the Production of H₂O₂ with Gas Diffusion Electrodes" (2021). All Theses. 3597.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/3597