Adsorption Study of CO2 on Reticulated Vitreous Carbon (RVC) Covered with Platinum

Abstract

An electrode consisting of platinized reticulated vitreous carbon (Pt/RVC) which behaves as a conventional platinized platinum electrode is described. The Pt/RVC electrode has been used to study the products of CO₂ reduction by H_ad at potentials below 0.0V vs. NHE in acidic solution. Formic acid is proposed as the main product of this reaction.     

Examination of Pt(111)/Ru and Pt(111)/Os surfaces: STM imaging and methanol oxidation activity

Ruthenium and osmium were deposited in submonolayer amounts on Pt(111) single crystal surfaces using the previously reported ‘spontaneous deposition’ procedure [Chrzanowski et al., Langmuir, 13 (1997) 5974]. Such surfaces were first explored using ex situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to image the deposition characteristics of ruthenium and osmium islands on Pt(111). It was found that, using the spontaneous deposition procedure, a maximum coverage of 0.20 ML ruthenium is formed on the surface after 120 s of exposure to a RuCl₃ solution in 0.1 M HClO₄. A homogeneous deposition on the Pt(111) surface was found, with no observed preferential deposition on step edges or surface defect sites. In contrast, in the spontaneous deposition of osmium, osmium clusters form preferentially at, though not limited to, surface defect sites and step edges. Osmium island deposition occurs at a greater rate than ruthenium on Pt(111), and possible explanations are presented. Methanol activity on the Pt(111)/Ru and Pt(111)/Os surfaces is also studied, using the coverage values determined to yield the highest activity for methanol electro-oxidation (0.20 ML coverage for Ru and 0.15 ML for Os). At potentials more negative than 0.40 V vs. RHE, the Pt(111)/Ru surface yields a higher surface activity than Pt(111)/Os. However, at potentials more positive than 0.04 V, Pt(111)/Os exhibits demonstrably higher surface activity. The relevance of this data is discussed and future avenues of interest are indicated.     

Copper UPD on Selenium-Modified Polycrystalline Pt Electrode

Underpotential deposition of Cu onto an Se-modified smooth polycrystalline Pt electrode in an acidic CuSO₄ solution was investigated using a cyclic voltammetry. It was obtained that the specific voltammetric pattern of Cu UPD observed for a clean Pt electrode disappeared and a new current peak at potentials much closer to bulk Cu deposition was formed. This feature of a cyclic voltammogram is similar to that observed earlier for clean Pt electrode in acidic CuSO₄ solutions containing selenite and also to that described for S-modified Pt electrode in an additive-free CuSO₄ solution. The reasons for the difference in the voltammetric behavior of bare Pt and Se-modified Pt in the potential range characteristic of Cu UPD were considered. A model of Cu deposition taking place onto the free Pt sites at more positive potentials and onto the Se-covered ones at less positive potentials was discussed with closer scrutiny.     

Composite of Pt–Ru supported SnO2 nanowires grown on carbon paper for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

Platinum–ruthenium (Pt–Ru) nanoparticles were successfully deposited, for the first time, on the surface of SnO₂ nanowires grown directly on carbon paper (Pt–Ru/SnO₂ NWs/carbon paper) by potentiostatic electrodeposition method. The resultant Pt–Ru/SnO₂ NWs/carbon paper composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrocatalytic activities of these composite electrodes for methanol oxidation were investigated and higher mass and specific activities in methanol oxidation were exhibited as compared to Pt–Ru catalysts deposited on glassy carbon electrode.     

环取代基对金属化聚苯胺衍生物膜修饰电极性能的影响

通过比较聚2，5－二甲氧基苯胺（PDMAn）、聚邻甲基苯胺（POT）和聚间氯苯胺（PmClAn）膜修饰电极的氧化还原电位、沉积在这3种聚合物上的铂微粒的表面形态与晶面取向以及异丙醇在分散Pt微粒的聚苯胺膜修饰电极上的氧化行为，从电子效应和立体效应探讨了聚合物电化学性质与环取代基的关系以及不同聚合基质对Pt沉积机理和有催化性能的影响,结果表明，在硫酸溶液中PDMAn膜修饰电极的氧化还原电位最负、POT次之、PmClAn最正，Pt在PDMAn和POT膜上的电沉积机理与在PmClAn膜上的不同，聚合物膜上沉积的Pt微粒呈现（200)晶面择优取向，其中POT膜上择优取向度最大，PDMAn次之，Pm-ClAn最小，异丙醇在金属化聚合物膜电极上的氧化电位取决于聚苯胺的本质，在POT膜修饰电极上异丙醇的电氧化主要发生在POT的活性电位区，而在PDMAn与PmClAn膜上的电氧化则主要发生在Pt上的氧化电位区，说明聚合物膜不仅作为Pt微粒的分散介质，而且本身有产生催化作用。     

Platinum submonolayer-monolayer electrocatalysis: An electrochemical and X-ray absorption spectroscopy study

A new Pt monolayer electrocatalyst concept is described and the results of electrochemical and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies are presented. Two new methods that facilitate the application of this concept in obtaining ultra-low-Pt-content electrocatalysts have been developed. One is the electroless (spontaneous) deposition of a Pt submonolayer on Ru nanoparticles, and the other is a deposition of a Pt monolayer on Pd nanoparticles by redox displacement of a Cu adlayer. The Pt submonolayer on Ru (PtRu₂₀) electrocatalyst demonstrated higher CO tolerance than commercial catalysts under conditions of rotating disk experiments. The long-term stability test showed no loss in performance over 870 h using a fuel cell operating under real conditions, even though the Pt loading was approximately 10% of that of the standard Pt loading. In situ XAS indicated an increase in d-band vacancy of deposited Pt, which may facilitate partly the reduced susceptibility to CO poisoning for this catalyst. The kinetics of O₂ reduction on a Pt monolayer on Pd nanoparticles showed a small enhancement in comparison with that from a Pt nanoparticle electrocatalyst. The increase in catalytic activity is partly attributed to decreased formation of PtOH, as shown by XAS experiments.     

Binding energy of ruthenium submonolayers deposited on a Pt(111) electrode

We investigated the 3d_5/2 core-level binding energy of Ru in Ru nanoislands spontaneously deposited on a Pt(111) electrode [Pt(111)/Ru], and the binding energies of 3d_5/2 iodine and 1s CO adsorbed on Pt(111)/Ru by the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Both iodine and CO were used as surface probes of the electronic properties of Pt(111)/Ru. Little difference was found in the binding energy of Ru in Pt(111)/Ru and in Ru(0001). However, the addition of Ru to Pt(111) induces major changes in the core-level binding energies of chemisorbed iodine and CO as referenced to those adsorbed on Ru(0001). We conclude that the iodine 3d_5/2 and CO 1s C core levels experience higher electronic charge on Pt(111)/Ru than on Ru(0001), suggesting a charge transfer from Pt to Ru, or to a Ru-I surface molecule within the deposit. The charge transfer from Pt to Ru is in agreement with the result of previous in situ electrochemical NMR investigations [P.K. Babu, H.S. Kim, A. Wieckowski, E. Oldfield (2003) J. Phys. Chem. B 107:7595] and confirms the general trend of reduction in the density of states of Pt due to alloying with Ru [J. McBreen, S. Mukerjee (1995) J. Electrochem. Soc. 142:3399]. Theoretical calculations are in progress to further interpret the origin of the binding-energy shifts observed in this study.Dedicated to Zbigniew Galus on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Electrochemical Codeposition of Platinum and Molybdenum Oxides: Formation of Composite Films with Distinct Electrocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection

The electrochemical properties of gold electrode surfaces modified by molybdenum oxide films intercalated with platinum microparticles have been described. The incorporation of Pt microparticles at the oxide film was characterized by PIXE (particle induced X‐ray emission) spectroscopy. The modified electrode showed electrochemical activity at around ?0.5 V in 50 mmol L^?1 Na₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte (pH 3), corresponding to the reduction of protons at platinum sites and further transfer of hydrogen atoms to form reduced molybdenum oxides (bronzes). At 0.1 V, the MoO₃ / Pt electrode showed a better performance for hydrogen peroxide oxidation than on platinized gold electrodes. The solution pH has a marked effect on the voltammetric profile and best responses for hydrogen peroxide were obtained at the 5.0 to 6.0 pH range. The activation of the electrode by polarization at negative potentials was also studied and a mechanism by which more platinum sites are available as a consequence of this process was proposed. Calibration plots for hydrogen peroxide were highly linear (r=0.9989) in the 0.2 to 1.6 mmol L^?1 concentration range, with a relative standard deviation (RSD)<1%.     

Electrocatalysis on binary alloys: II. Oxidation of molecular hydrogen on supported Pt+Ru alloys

The electrocatalytic properties of Pt+Ru alloys supported on graphitized carbon have been studied using oxide-free metal alloys that have been well characterized for phase identification, specific metal surface area, and surface composition. The CO tolerance of the Pt+Ru alloys for the oxidation of CO contaminated hydrogen in hot concentrated H₃PO₄ increases monotonically with Ru content of the surface and is a direct result of a decreasing coverage of the alloy by adsorbed CO. Furthermore, the strength of bonding of adsorbed CO with the metal surface decreases dramatically with increasing Ru content in the surface. The absolute activity of Pt+Ru alloys for the oxidation of CO contaminated hydrogen is a complex function of temperature and electrode potential. At 160°C, pure Pt is the most active catalyst at all potentials, but at temperatures lower than 120°C the reaction-limiting current for pure Ru exceeds that of pure Pt. At any temperature from 110–160°C or any electrode potential from 0–0.3V (HE), the variation of electrocatalytic activity with alloy composition indicates only dilution of the activity of the more active component.     

Electroreduction of peroxodisulfate anion at platinum rotating disc electrode in the cyclic voltammetry mode

Electroreduction of peroxodisulfate anion at smooth polycrystalline and platinized (at different deposition potentials) platinum in perchloric acid and sulfuric acid solutions is studied by rotating disc electrode and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Dependences of the process rate on the electrode rotating velocity, the potential scan rate, the anodic limit of the scanning, the peroxodisulfate anion concentration in the solution and the platinizing conditions are found. The suggestion on the complications in the peroxodisulfate anion reduction caused by adsorbate formation is corroborated, at least, for certain potential region. The reaction structure sensitivity is evidenced, which makes it possible to use the reaction for characterization of the platinized Pt surface structure. The comparing of obtained results with literature data concerning smooth platinum and the single-crystal platinum basis faces allows concluding that the peroxodisulfate anion reduction maximal rate in sulfuric-acid solutions occurs at the potentials close to those observed for the (110) face. When the platinized Pt surface roughness factor exceeds ~30, the peroxodisulfate anion reduction reaction proceeds under the inner-diffusion limitation control. The platinized-Pt rotating disc electrode can serve as model tool in the studying of properties of disperse material microdeposits.     

Oxidation of formic acid on platinum electrodeposited on polished and oxidized glassy carbon

Formic acid oxidation at platinum electrochemically deposited on polished (GC/Pt) and oxidized glassy carbon (GC_ox/Pt) was examined with the objective of studying the effect of electrochemical treatment of the support on deposition of platinum and on the activity of Pt catalyst. The electrodes were characterised by STM and XPS techniques. The oxidative treatment of the support leads to deposition of smaller Pt particles in comparison with the one on the polished substrate. The XPS spectra indicated the increased fraction of functional (acidic) groups on the treated support as well as the higher fraction of oxygen containing species on Pt catalyst deposited on oxidised referring to Pt deposited on polished substrate.The activity of GC_ox/Pt electrode is increased by the factor of 2–4 for formic acid oxidation compared to the activity of GC/Pt electrode. This result is explained by the oxidative removal of CO_ad species leading to enhanced amount of Pt free sites available for direct formic acid oxidation to CO₂.     

Electrochemical characterization of a new system for detection of superoxide ion in alkaline solution

A new medium system containing dimethyldistearylammonium bromide (DSAB) was developed for the electrochemical detection of superoxide ion in alkaline solution. The reductions of molecular oxygen in alkaline media as a function of the electrode material were evaluated for Pt, Ag, Au and glassy carbon (GC) electrode. And a quasi-reversible redox process for the O₂/O₂⁻ couple was only obtained at the Pt electrode. The electrochemical responses of the O₂/O₂⁻ couple at a platinum electrode and a platinized platinum electrode were compared, which suggesting that the electrochemical behavior of the O₂/O₂⁻ couple was improved greatly at a platinized Pt electrode. The frequency change (mass change) on the surface of Pt electrode was characterized by the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. The reduction of the dissolved oxygen at a platinized Pt electrode in the presence of DSAB was also studied by using chronocoulometry and the result indicated that a one-electron reduction was involved. In addition, the scavenging activity of cysteine towards superoxide ion was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Monolayer deposition of silver and copper onto platinum electrodes at non-equilibrium conditions

Ag and Cu were deposited in submonolayer amounts onto Pt electrodes at constant cathodic potentials within the hydrogen adsorption region. Rectangular pulses of Cu²⁺ or Ag⁺ fluxes to the Pt surface were generated by a Cu or Ag generator electrode using the twin electrode thin-layer technique. The analysis of the response currents of the Pt electrode yields in formation about the metal deposition process at non-equilibrium conditions. Cu and Ag were found to deposit directly as monolayers and not at random. The displacement of adsorbed hydrogen was measured as a function of the quantity of metal deposited.     

Electropolymerization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[RuCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(vpy)<Subscript>4</Subscript>] complex—EQCM and Raman studies

The electropolymerization of trans-[RuCl₂(vpy)₄] (vpy=4-vinylpyridine) on Au or Pt electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique, and Raman spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry of the monomer at a microelectrode shows the typical Ru(III/II) and Ru(IV/III) waves, together with the vinyl reduction waves at −1.5 and −2.45 V and adsorption wave at −0.8 V. Electrodeposition on EQCM technique performed under potential cycling between −0.9 and −2.0 V revealed that the polymerization proceeded well in advance of the vinyl reduction waves. At potentials more positive than −0.9 V, soluble oligomers were deposited irreversibly on the electrode during the oxidative sweep. The film also showed reversible mass changes due to the oxidation and accompanying ingress of charge-balancing anions and solvent into the film. In contrast, potentiostatic growth of the polymer at −1.6 V was slower because the oligomeric material was lost completely from the electrode. Unreacted vinyl groups were detected by in situ Raman spectroscopy for films grown at −0.7, −0.9, and −1.6 V but were absent when the polymerization was carried out at −2.9 V vs Ag/Ag⁺.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol at Lower Potentials on Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified by Platinum and Platinum Alloys Incorporated in Poly(o‐Aminophenol) Film

The electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol at a glassy carbon electrode modified by a thin film of poly(o‐aminophenol) (PoAP) containing Pt, Pt‐Ru and Pt‐Sn microparticles has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry as analytical technique and 0.10 M perchloric acid as supporting electrolyte. It has been shown that the presence of PoAP film increases considerably the efficiency of deposited Pt microparticles toward the oxidation of methanol. The catalytic activity of Pt particles is further enhanced when Ru or specially Sn is co‐deposited in the polymer film. The effects of various parameters such as the thickness of polymer film, concentration of methanol, medium temperature as well as the long term stability of modified electrodes have also been investigated.     

The effect of electrochemically treated glassy carbon on the activity of supported Pt catalyst in methanol oxidation

Effect of electrochemical oxidation of glassy carbon on deposition of platinum particles and electrocatalytic activity of platinum supported on oxidized glassy carbon (Pt/GC_OX) were studied for methanol oxidation in H₂SO₄ solution. Platinum was potentiostatically deposited from H₂SO₄ + H₂PtCl₆ solution. Glassy carbon was anodically polarised in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ at 2.25 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) during 35 s. Electrochemical treatment of GC support, affecting not significantly the real Pt surface area, leads to a better distribution of platinum on the substrate and has remarkable effect on the activity. The activity of the Pt/GC_OX electrode for methanol oxidation is larger than polycrystalline Pt and for more than one order of magnitude larger than Pt/GC electrode. This increase in activity indicates the pronounced role of organic residues of GC support on the properties of Pt particles deposited on glassy carbon.     

Tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Sensor Based on Platinized Carbon Nanotube–Zirconia–Nafion Composite Films

Mesoporous films of platinized carbon nanotube–zirconia–Nafion composite have been used for the immobilization of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium (II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) on an electrode surface to yield a solid‐state electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. The composite films of Pt–CNT–zirconia–Nafion exhibit much larger pore diameter (3.55 nm) than that of Nafion (2.82 nm) and thus leading to much larger ECL response for tripropylamine (TPA) because of the fast diffusion of the analyte within the films. Due to the conducting and electrocatalytic features of CNTs and Pt nanoparticles, their incorporation into the zirconia–Nafion composite films resulted in the decreased electron transfer resistance within the films. The present ECL sensor based on the Pt–CNT–zirconia–Nafion gave a linear response (R²=0.999) for TPA concentration from 3.0 nM to 1.0 mM with a remarkable detection limit (S/N=3) of 1.0 nM, which is much lower compared to those obtained with the ECL sensors based on other types of sol‐gel ceramic–Nafion composite films such as silica–Nafion and titania–Nafion.     

The electrochemical behavior of PtRu- and Pt-modified zeolite X in alkaline solution

Zeolite NaX was modified by Pt and Pt/Ru nanodispersed metallic clusters. The procedure of impregnation with acetylacetonate salt/acetone solution was applied. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed partial zeolite framework destruction. According to energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Pt/Ru ratio in sample was about 1. Electrochemical behavior of PtRu- and Pt-modified zeolites was investigated in alkaline solutions, 5 mM NaOH?+?1 M Na₂SO₄ and 0.1 M NaOH. The shape of cyclic voltammograms of 13XPtRu electrode, recorded in slightly alkaline solution, was greatly affected by the presence of hydrogen that remained in the sample after synthetic procedure. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated in an O₂-saturated aqueous 0.1-M NaOH solution. The obtained Tafel slopes indicated ORR mechanism that involves one-electron discharge-determining step. According to Koutecky–Levich slope, the oxygen reduction reaction followed 4e^? mechanism on both 13XPtRu and 13XPt electrode. The onset of ORR on 13XPtRu electrode was shifted toward more positive potentials in comparison to 13XPt electrode.     

Electrochemical studies on Zn deposition and dissolution in sulphate electrolyte

The electrochemical deposition and dissolution of Zn on Pt electrode in sulphate electrolyte was investigated by electrochemical methods in an attempt to contribute to the better understanding of the more complex Zn–Cr alloy electrodeposition process. A decrease of the Zn electrolyte pH (from 5.4 to 1.0) so as to minimise/avoid the formation of hydroxo-products of Cr in the electrolyte for deposition of alloy coatings decreases the current efficiency for the Zn reaction, but the rate of the cathode reaction increases significantly due to intense hydrogen evolution. The results of the investigations in Zn electrolytes with pH 1.0–1.6 indicate that Zn bulk deposition is preceded by hydrogen evolution, stepwise Zn underpotential deposition (UPD) and formation of a Zn–Pt alloy. Hydrogen evolution from H₂O starts in the potential range of Zn bulk deposition. Data obtained from the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) measurements support the assumption that electrochemical deposition of Zn proceeds at potentials more positive than the reversible potential of Zn. Anodic potentiodynamic curves for galvanostatically and potentiostatically deposited Zn layers provide indirect evidence about the dissolution of Zn from an alloy with the Pt substrate. The presumed potential of co-deposition of Cr (−1.9 V vs. Hg/Hg₂SO₄) is reached at a current density of about 300 mA cm⁻².     

调制脉冲电沉积法制备质子交换膜燃料电池铂催化电极

通过调制脉冲电流在质子交换树脂(Nafion)粘接的无催化多孔碳电极(UCE)上电沉积Pt 催化剂, 对所沉积Pt 催化电极性能及负载量用循环伏安法(CV)、X 射线衍射仪(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)及分光光度法进行了表征. 结果表明, 通过调制电沉积过程的脉冲参数, 能够实现质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)电极Pt催化剂的直接电化学沉积, 能够调控电沉积Pt粒径, 并能有效地缓解电沉积过程中析氢对沉积金属催化剂铂的干扰, 所沉积的Pt 催化剂利用率较传统Nafion 粘接Pt/C催化电极要高. 脉冲导通时间ton 为300 μs、断通时间toff 为1200 μs, 脉冲峰值电流密度jp 为100 mA·cm-2 时, 电沉积120 s制得的电极的Pt 晶粒约5-8 nm, Pt 表面利用率为43.14%, 沉积Pt的电流效率为45%.