Graphite felt electrochemically modified in H2SO4 solution used as a cathode to produce H2O2 for pre-oxidation of drinking water

The efficiency of graphite felt (GF) as a cathode to electro-generate H2O2 in neutral water was improved after the GF was electrochemically oxidized in H2SO4 solution. Raman spectra, SEM and XPS showed that certain oxygen-containing functional groups were introduced onto the surface of the CF after modification. The electrochemical behavior of the electrodes showed that the 2-electron-reduction of oxygen gas on the modified CF cathode was enhanced which is beneficial for the electrochemical generation of H2O2 in neutral water. The electrolysis tests in static and flowing cells showed that the efficiency of electrogeneration of H2O2 for the treated CF increased by 6 times as compared with the original one. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.