Alumina as electrode material

Abstract

Alumina (aluminium oxide or Al2O3) is one of the well-known ceramic materials. This material is widely used as abrasives, in the production of refractory products and glass, advanced ceramics, medical applications, and military and electronics applications. It is also used as a catalyst and/or catalyst support for various catalytic reactions. Alumina found its various applications in the field of electrochemistry as well: as solid electrolyte, anodic membrane, and corrosion coatings are the most prominent of them. Most intriguingly, alumina although known as an insulating material, is also used as the electrode material. In recent years it was noticed that the properties of the glassy carbon electrode were enhanced after polishing the electrode with γ-alumina. The morphology and structure of Al2O3 particles used for the electrode polishing influenced electrode performances. The investigations were continued with the alumina applied at the surface of the electrode. Strong apparent catalysis of the catechol redox process was noticed in the presence of alumina on the electrode surface leading to the conclusion that the alumina on the electrode surface can act as a catalyst for oxidative process involving a proton-coupled electron-transfer process.