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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 15086-15092 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 24 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 22 2016 |
Keywords
- antioxidant
- carbon nanoparticles
- oxidation
- oxygen reduction
- superoxide
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)