A potential working electrode based on graphite and montmorillonite for electrochemical applications in both aqueous and molten salt electrolytes

A binder‐free composite of graphite and kaolinite as a stable working electrode for general electrochemical applications

“…The dehydroxylation (firing) of clay minerals accounts for improved mechanical strength and water/moisture resistance of electrodes. [15] The previous study found that the fired electrodes are very stable in neutral/low/high pH electrolyte solutions and even hardly disintegrate under prolonged usage. [15] However, the dehydroxylation temperature ultimately depends on the type of clay used.…”

“…[15] The previous study found that the fired electrodes are very stable in neutral/low/high pH electrolyte solutions and even hardly disintegrate under prolonged usage. [15] However, the dehydroxylation temperature ultimately depends on the type of clay used. TGA/DSC thermogram reveals that the complete dehydroxylation of kaolinite takes place at around 500 • C (Figure 1).…”

“…Despite the clay type, the exponential decay in resistivity parallel to a linear increase in mechanical strength is characteristic of the graphite-clay composite electrodes and a similar trend observed in our previous study. [15] The clay type barely accounts for slight changes in the magnitude of each parameter. Similar to G-MMTCE, the resistivity of GKCE decreases exponentially (The trend fits with Equation 1) while the flexural strength increases linearly as a function of graphite percentage (Figure 2).…”

“…[2,14] The authors of the present study recently developed a binder-free stable graphitemontmorillonite composite electrode (G-MMTCE) for aqueous and molten salt applications. [15] G-MMTCE can recognize as a groundbreaking discovery in the field of graphite electrode technology. However, the electrochemical applications/outcomes of G-MMTCE were studied in brief, leaving the subject matter widely open for further investigation.…”

“…However, the electrochemical applications/outcomes of G-MMTCE were studied in brief, leaving the subject matter widely open for further investigation. [15] The preceding work is also restricted to 2:1 type clay minerals (e.g. MMT) while questioning the appropriateness of kaolinite (1:1 type clay minerals) for similar applications.…”