Electrochemical studies of kerosene-pyrolysed carbon films

Polycrystalline thin films of conducting carbon are deposited on alumina su bstrates by the pyrolysis of kerosene vapour at 1000 degrees C for 2 h in a rgon atmosphere. Preliminary structural analysis is done by XRD, laser-Rama n, FTIR and SEM studies. The electrochemical behaviour of as-grown conducti ng carbon films was investigated in various electrolytes at different pH an d the performance was compared with that of platinum and glassy electrodes. The electrochemical window of the kerosene carbon electrode in 100 mM H2SO 4 was found to be 2.91 V which is greater than that of glassy carbon (2.79 V) and platinum (2.02 V). Cyclic voltammetry reveals that Pt electrode has almost an equal tendency towards hydrogen and oxygen evolution, whereas gla ssy carbon favours hydrogen evolution and kerosene carbon favours oxygen ev olution. It is suggested that the kerosene carbon electrode can be used as an oxygen electrode more efficiently. Unlike diamond films or glassy electr odes, kerosene carbon thin films are of low cost and good stability; they a re also easy to grow on various ceramic substrates of any size. Moreover, t hese electrodes are very economical and promising for application in chlor- alkali industry.