Electrochemical Reduction Effects on the Morphology and Electrochemical Capacity of Carbon Paper

Abstract

We studied the changes in the morphology and electrochemical capacity of carbon paper caused by the electrochemical reduction. SEM images show that the electrochemical reduction caused the decomposition of reduced carbon papers( r CPs) into carbon particles and rough surface. Raman spectra show the surface disorder as evidenced by higher ID/ IGratio for treating time as short as 1 min. BET tests reveal the markedly increased specific surface area caused by the electrochemical reduction of carbon paper. XPS analyses show a higher quantity of surface hydroxyl species( C—OH) on r CPs. The capacitance of r CP( treated at-1. 6 V for 5 min) is 15 times that of the pristine carbon paper,and this outstanding capacitance is rather stable even after prolonged charge-discharge 1500 cycles.