Electrochemical properties of oxidized carbon nano-onions: DRIFTS-FTIR and raman spectroscopic analyses.

The electrochemical reactions of carboxylic and lactone groups on carbon nano-onions (CNOs) in aqueous solutions result in non-Kolbe products: alcohols, ketones, ethers and epoxides. The anodic/cathodic conversion of ox-CNOs was assessed by Boehm titrations and by Raman and DRIFTS-FTIR (diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy). The electrochemical properties of oxidized carbon nano-onions were investigated by cyclic voltammetry in aqueous solutions. The ox-CNOs are electrochemically active as a result of the reduction of the oxygen-containing groups.