Mechanistic Study of the Conversion of Superoxide to Oxygen and Hydrogen Peroxide in Carbon Nanoparticles

Almaz S. Jalilov, Chenhao Zhang, Errol L.G. Samuel, William K.A. Sikkema, Gang Wu, Vladimir Berka, Thomas A. Kent, Ah Lim Tsai, James M. Tour

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hydrophilic carbon clusters (HCCs) are oxidized carbon nanoparticles with a high affinity for electrons. The electron accepting strength of HCCs, employing the efficient conversion of superoxide (O2•-) to molecular oxygen (O2) via single-electron oxidation, was monitored using cyclic voltammetry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. We found that HCCs possess O2 reduction reaction (ORR) capabilities through a two-electron process with the formation of H2O2. By comparing results from aprotic solvents to those obtained from ORR activity in aqueous media, we propose a mechanism for the origin of the antioxidant and superoxide dismutase mimetic properties of poly(ethylene glycolated) hydrophilic carbon clusters (PEG-HCCs).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15086-15092
Number of pages7
JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume8
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 22 2016

Keywords

  • antioxidant
  • carbon nanoparticles
  • oxidation
  • oxygen reduction
  • superoxide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)

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