Scavenging of DPPH by Persistent Free Radicals in Carbonized Particles

Abstract Persistent free radicals (PFR) in carbonized particles may play a role in degradation of environmental compounds. The influence of PFR is evaluated in various carbonized particles on their radical scavenging efficiency upon the common radical indicator 2‐2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Carbonized particles are derived by hydrothermal carbonization of glucose (C‐W) or glucose and urea (NC‐W) and ionothermal carbonization of glucose and urea ionic liquid (IL) (NC‐IL). The carbonized materials contain OH/COOH, C=C, and C‐O functionalities. The addition of urea introduces NH/NH₂ functionalities. The content of polar surface groups is lower in IL‐processed NC‐IL. The scavenging ability, measured as DPPH UV–vis absorption decline, increases with concentration and time for all particles, while the efficiency changes are in the order of C‐W > NC‐W > NC‐IL. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis reveals similar radical concentration in all carbonized materials studied. The difference in efficiency is, thus, not directly related to the PFR concentration but rather to the type of PFR, surface functionalities and/or scavenging mechanism. According to the g‐values, radicals in these particles are carbon‐centered. The minor variation in g‐values suggests interactions between the radicals and their environmental functional groups. This provides insights into the influence of PFR in carbonized materials on their radical scavenging efficiency.