Carbon Electrodes: Structural Effects on Electron Transfer Kinetics

This chapter deals with the overall goal of describing a relationship between carbon electrode structure and electroanalytical performance. It discusses the structure and bulk properties of various sp carbon materials and considers the carbon surface, with particular attention to surface structure and characterization. The chapter also discusses the electrochemical consequences of bulk structure and surface preparation, with particular emphasis on the relationship between surface structure and heterogeneous electron transfer rate. It examines a model of the carbon electrode surface which accounts for the experimental observations. The driving force behind much of the research cited herein is the examination of electron transfer rates on carbon electrodes. In addition to observations of capacitance and electron transfer rates, adsorption of solution components on carbon electrodes is also used to characterize the surface. The proton-assisted electron transfer mechanism based on the H/D isotope effect requires surface oxides, particularly phenols.