Intercalation compounds of GT-1 and GAK-3 graphites were electrically synthesized in concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids. Porous composite samples based on thermally expanded graphite produced from electrochemically synthesized GT-1 graphite hydrosulfate, chemically synthesized GSM-1 graphite nitrate, and fluoroplastic-4D (1315 wt %), with a volume density of 650 31090 g l !2 , were fabricated and studied.Studies concerned with power cells pay a considerable attention to development and testing of new materials for electrodes to be used, in particular, in fuel cells. It is known that thermally expanded graphite (TEG) and articles made of this material possess a number of unique properties: high porosity, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability; manufacturability and ductility; and possibility of fabrication of complex-shaped articles from this material [133]. This circumstance, combined with the comparatively low cost of TEG, makes it a promising material for electrochemical systems. For example, it has been suggested to use TEG for improving the distribution of gas reagents in electrodes of fuel cells [4]. It has been shown that making the current collector of TEG improves parameters of fuel cells [5]. Use of modified TEG in the electrodes of electrochemical sensors for methanol has been studied [6]. Oxidation of peroxide and glucose has been examined on an electrode made of TEG modified with cobalt phthalocyanine [7]. It has been demonstrated that the electrochemical parameters of TEG depend on whether or not oxygen functional groups are present on its surface [8]. The possibility of phenol electrooxidation on TEG has been analyzed [9].Of interest in this context is to study a composite based on TEG and fluoroplastic, which shows a considerable hydrophobicity and chemical inertness at temperatures of up to 400oC. This composite can also be used to fabricate hydrophobized electrodes, which makes it possible to markedly raise the rate of electrochemical processes [10, 11].The aim of the present study was to examine the influence exerted by the composition of a porous composite TEG3fluoroplastic on its electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity in oxygen reduction in aqueous electrolytes.
EXPERIMENTALGraphite intercalation compounds yielding TEG upon a thermal shock were obtained using electrochemical intercalation of acids. This method enables easy control over the degree of intercalation of acids into graphite and makes it possible to obtain intercalation compounds at lower acid concentrations without admixture of oxidizing agents [12]. For example, electrolysis in sulfuric [13315], nitric [16], and formic [17] acids has been described.The electrosynthesis was performed in a cylindrical glass electrolyzer with a thermostated jacket 1 and a horizontal position of the electrodes (Fig. 1). Onto the bottom electrode (anode) 2, having the form of a fine-mesh platinum grid on a porous glass partition 3, was placed a weighed portion 4 of graphite. A polypropylene diaphragm 5 ma...