Modification of Expanded Graphite Electrodes by Ozone Treatment

The aim of the present work was the modification of the electrochemical properties of expanded graphite by ozone treatment. Electrochemical investigations showed that ozone modification of expanded graphite electrodes results in the significant improvement of their electrochemical activity towards the phenol carried out by cyclic voltammetry method in alkaline solution. The highest activity demonstrates sample expanded graphite modified under ozone atmosphere at elevated temperature. The analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectra and voltammetric curves recorded in electrolyte without phenol additive showed increased concentration of different types of oxygen functional groups on the surface of modified expanded graphite.