Zhuravsky S. Synthesis and electrocatalytic properties of active carbons modified with oxygen and nitrogen

With the purpose of creating active carbons with high functional capabilities, a combined theoretical and experimental work was carried out to synthesize carbons modified with nitrogen and oxygen. To determine its sorption-catalytic characteristics, the scientifically and practically important process of removal of hydrogen sulphide are studied. Using the quantum-chemical modeling of the interaction of melamine and urea with oxygen-containing groups of active coal, a synthesis methodology was developed, according to which samples of modified active carbon with a controlled nitrogen content up to 5% and oxygen up to 15% are obtained. A quantum-chemical modeling of hydrogen sulfide oxidation stages by quinoid groups of the surface of active carbon and the regeneration of hydroquinone groups by oxygen has shown a possibility of absorption of hydrogen sulfide on the carbon surface, similar to the industrial quinhydronic method of purifying natural gas from hydrogen sulphide. The electrochemical nature of the process of oxidative sorption of H2S on active carbon has been proved. A scheme is proposed for the electrocatalytic mechanism of this process, which combines the conjugation of the Red and Ox phases and the mediator function of reversible "quinone-hydroquinone" transformations of surface oxygen-containing groups of carbons.