Abstract: The performance of the electrochemical oxidation of the activated carbon in the carbonates was investigated. It is found that the performance of the electrochemical oxidation of the activated carbon was significantly influenced by acid treatment, carbon loading, carbon particle size, reaction temperature and reaction atmosphere by the linear sweeping voltammograms test. The results show that the electrochemical oxidation activity of carbon was improved by the HCl treatment of carbon, increasing the reaction temperature, selecting the suitable carbon particle size, increasing the content of the activated carbon in carbonates and aerating N₂. OCP and the current density at -0.4 V of the activated carbon treated by HCl with 15 g carbon content and <100 μm carbon particles size could respectively reach -1.40 V and 200 mA/cm² at 850 ℃.

Key words: Direct carbon fuel cell, Electrochemical oxidation, Acid treatment