Flash graphene from carbon fiber composites : a sustainable and high-performance electrocatalyst for hydrogen peroxide production

Bardarov, Ivo (author), Apostolova, Desislava (author), Farinazzo Bergamo Dias Martins, Pedro (author), Angelov, Ivo (author), Ruiz-Zepeda, Francisco (author), Jerman, Ivan (author), Dular, Matevž (author), Strmčnik, Dušan (author), Genorio, Boštjan (author)

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are indispensable in various industries due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, outstanding durability, and high stiffness. However, the effective recycling of CFRP remains a major challenge and requires the development of advanced technologies and more sustainable waste management solutions. In this study, we present an efficient and reproducible method for upcycling CFRP waste into large quantities of carbon fiber composite flash graphene (CFC-FG) by cost-effective flash Joule heating (FJH) in the millisecond range. The resulting flash graphene was extensively characterized by morphological, structural, spectroscopic, and chemical analyses. These investigations revealed a highly porous, lamellar structure with a low concentration of oxygen functional groups and a turbostratic graphitic structure. Important structural features, including a distinct D’ peak in Raman spectra and elliptical ring patterns observed in selected area electron diffraction (SAED), emphasized its unique properties. These combined attributes of CFC-FG resulted in excellent electrochemical performance in the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e$^−$ ORR) for the electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H$_2$O$_2$). CFC-FG showed nearly 100 % selectivity and good activity in 0.1 M KOH, with stability tests confirming the retention of performance, making it a promising candidate for real electrosynthesis applications. The core concept of this work was to develop a recycled, sustainable electrocatalyst for H$_2$O$_2$ electrosynthesis that contributes to a circular economy and supports global sustainability goals.

• Language: English
• Keywords: flash graphene, flash Joule heating, carbon fiber composite, carbon materials, hydrogen peroxide, electrochemical synthesis, upcycling, sustainability
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology; FS - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 9 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 517, art. 145754
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-167085
• UDC: 621.35:620.3:66.097.3
• ISSN on article: 0013-4686
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2025.145754
• COBISS.SI-ID: 225283075
• Publication date in RUL: 07.02.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Electrochimica Acta
• Shortened title: Electrochim. acta
• Publisher: Pergamon Press
• ISSN: 0013-4686
• COBISS.SI-ID: 1106959

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: bliskoviti grafen, bliskovito Joulovo segrevanje, kompoziti iz ogljikovih vlaken, ogljikovi materiali, vodikov peroksid, elektrokemijska sinteza, predelava, trajnost