Oxygenated Carbon Electrocatalysts for Chlorine Evolution Reaction.

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• The chlor-alkali process is vital for global chemical production.
• Current processes rely on ruthenium oxide (RuO2) or iridium oxide (IrO2)-based dimensionally stable anodes, which present sustainability challenges.
• Developing alternative anode materials is crucial for advancing the chemical industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable and high-performance anode material for the chlor-alkali process.
• To investigate an oxygenation activation approach for commercial carbon materials.
• To evaluate the chlorine evolution reaction (CER) activity, selectivity, and stability of the modified carbon materials.

Main Methods:

• Facile oxygenation activation of commercial carbon black and carbon cloth.
• Experimental characterization of oxygen groups (carbonyl, cyclic ether, carboxyl) on graphitic plane edges.
• Electrochemical testing of modified carbon materials for CER performance.
• Theoretical studies to understand the mechanism of enhanced activity.

Main Results:

• The oxygenation activation created carbonyl, cyclic ether, and carboxyl groups on carbon materials.
• Modified carbon materials exhibited excellent CER activity (204 mV overpotential at 1 A cm-2).
• High selectivity (99.6 ± 1.3% Faraday efficiency) and stability (100 h at 0.5 A cm-2) were achieved.
• Performance was comparable or superior to benchmark RuO2 and dimensionally stable anodes.

Conclusions:

• The oxygenation activation approach provides a sustainable pathway to high-performance carbon-based anodes.
• Modified carbon materials offer a promising alternative to traditional RuO2/IrO2 anodes for the chlor-alkali process.
• This advancement can enhance the sustainability and applicability of the chlor-alkali industry.