Voltammetric and FT-IR studies of modified activated carbon systems with phenol, 4-chlorophenol or 1,4-benzoquinone adsorbed from aqueous electrolyte solutions

Cyclic voltammetric and spectral FT-IR studies of the influence of surface chemistry on the adsorption and electrochemical behaviour of powdered activated carbon electrodes (PACE) in the presence of phenol, 4-chlorophenol and 1,4-benzoquinone were carried out. The variety of surface chemical properties was achieved through modification of the carbon samples by heat treatment under vacuum and in an oxygen–ammonia atmosphere as well as by oxidation with conc. nitric acid. Adsorption processes were carried out from aqueous solutions (in air and an oxygen-free atmosphere) in the presence acidic, neutral or basic electrolytes. Some electrochemical parameters of electrode systems with adsorbed organics were estimated and correlated with the adsorption ability of carbon materials. The changes in FT-IR spectra of the carbons caused by adsorption and/or coupling organic molecules are presented and discussed.