Mechanism of interaction of molecular hydrogen with adsorbed oxygen on platinum electrodes under open circuit conditions

Transients of open-circuit potential observed at the reaction of hydrogen molecules with oxygen preliminarily adsorbed (O_ads) on the smooth polycrystalline (pc Pt) and platinized platinum (Pt/Pt) electrodes are measured under conditions of controlled stirring of solution (0.5 M H₂ SO₄). The dependence of the surface coverage with O_ads(θ_O) on the potential in the cause of the potential decay on pc Pt are determined. It is found that for Pt/Pt, the reaction kinetics is largely determined by diffusion of H₂. For pc Pt in the range of high θ_O, the Eley-Ridiel mechanism is realized. For medium θ_O, the regions where the reaction obeys the mechanisms of Eley-Ridiel, “conjugated reactions”, and diffusion control are observed to overlap (even at the most intense stirring possible). The rate of H₂ reaction with O_ads is substantially higher compared with analogous reactions of CO, HCOOH, and CH₃OH.     

Formaldehyde interaction with adsorbed oxygen on open-circuit platinum electrodes in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions

The open circuit potential transients and cathodic potentiodynamic pulses were measured upon formaldehyde (methylene glycol) interaction with pre-adsorbed oxygen (O_ads) on Pt/Pt and pc Pt electrodes in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions. The slowest interaction of CH₂(OH)₂ with O_ads was observed in the high coverage range of the electrode surface (θ_O ～ 0.2 0.8 to 1). The process rate in this range is determined by the direct reaction of O_ads with CH₂(OH)₂ molecules from the bulk solution. In the middle surface oxygen coverage range (θ_O 0.2 to 0.8), CH₂(OH)₂ interaction with O_ads takes place by the mechanism of “conjugated reactions”. The kinetic parameters of reactions for CH₂(OH)₂, HCOOH, and CH₃ OH were compared. The rate of CH₂(OH)₂-O_ads interaction on Pt electrodes in the high oxygen coverage range was found higher by an order of magnitude than that of HCOOH and by two orders of magnitude than in the case of CH₃OH.     

Transients of the Open-Circuit Potential Observed during the Interaction of Formic Acid with Preliminarily Adsorbed Oxygen on a Platinized Platinum Electrode

Transients of the open-circuit potential, which are observed during the interaction of formic acid with preliminarily adsorbed oxygen (O_ads) on a Pt/Pt electrode in 0.5 M H₂SO₄, are measured. It is established, by means of the method of cathodic potentiodynamic pulses, that the slowest interaction of formic acid with O_ads occurs in the region of large coverages of the electrode surface by oxygen (θ_O ∼1–0.8). A presumption is put forward that the process rate in this region is defined by a direct reaction of O_ads with molecules of formic acid from the bulk solution. It is shown that the interaction of formic acid with O_ads in the region of intermediate coverages (θ_O ∼ 0.8–0.2) proceeds via a mechanism of “conjugated reactions.” Transients of the open-circuit potential for formic acid are compared to transients for carbon monoxide obtained in analogous conditions. The substantially shorter overall time of potential decay in the case of CO (at the same concentrations) is caused by a faster reaction of CO with adsorbed oxygen in the region of large θ_O. The difference is explained by assuming that the HCOOH adsorption as opposed to CO bears a dissociative character.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 8, 2005, pp. 936–942.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Manzhos, Maksimov, Podlovchenko.     

Kinetics and mechanism of interaction between methanol and adsorbed oxygen on a smooth polycrystalline platinum electrode: Transients of the open-circuit potential

The method of transients of the open-circuit potential, combined with cathodic potentiodynamic pulses, is used for studying the methanol interaction with preliminarily adsorbed oxygen (O_ads) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. It is established that, for the larger part of the time period required for a full reduction of a monolayer of O_ads in solutions of methanol on polycrystalline platinum, the process occurs at large coverages of the surface by O_ads (?_O). In the region of medium coverages, transients of the open-circuit potential are accurately described by the equation that corresponds to the mechanism of “conjugated reactions.” The mechanism of the methanol interaction with O_ads happens to be close to that for formic acid, which is explained by a dissociative character of these HCO compounds. Kinetic parameters characterizing the methanol reaction with O_ads in the region of large and medium coverages are determined and analyzed.     

Special features of methanol interaction with adsorbed oxygen at platinized platinum electrode: Transients of the open-circuit potential

Open-circuit potential transients are measured under the conditions of methanol interaction with the pre-adsorbed oxygen at platinized platinum electrode. The time necessary for complete removal of the adsorbed oxygen monolayer appeared being shorter by a factor of ～1.5 as compared with smooth polycrystalline platinum. The dependence of platinum surface coverage with adsorbed oxygen on the potential during its decay is found. It was shown that the reaction of methanol with the adsorbed oxygen is most slow at a high coverage (1–0.8). It is suggested that at these coverages, like the case of polycrystalline platinum, the adsorbed oxygen directly interacts with the methanol molecules from the solution. At moderate coverages (0.8–0.2), the reaction of the adsorbed oxygen with methanol at the platinized platinum is better described by the “conjugated reactions” mechanism. The specific rates of the methanol dissociative adsorption at the platinized platinum turned out to be close to those observed earlier for the polycrystalline platinum.     

Experimental study of intermediates and wave phenomena in co oxidation on platinum metal (Pt,Pd) surfaces

The mechanism of catalytic CO oxidation on Pt(100) and Pd(110) single-crystal surfaces and on Pt and Pd sharp tip (～10³ Å) surfaces has been studied experimentally by temperature-programmed reaction, temperature desorption spectroscopy, field electron microscopy, and molecular beam techniques. Using the density functional theory the equilibrium states and stretching vibrations of oxygen atoms adsorbed on the Pt(100) surface have been calculated. The character of the mixed adsorption layer was established by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy—molecular adsorption (O_2ads, CO_ads) on Pt(100)-hex and dissociative adsorption (O_ads, CO_ads) on Pt(100)-(1×1). The origin of kinetic self-oscillations for the isothermal oxidation of CO in situ was studied in detail on the Pt and Pd tips by field electron microscopy. The initiating role of the reversible phase transition (hex) ? (1 × 1) of the Pt(100) nanoplane in the generation of regular chemical waves was established. The origination of self-oscillations and waves on the Pt(100) nanoplane was shown to be caused by the spontaneous periodical transition of the metal from the low-active state (hex) to the highly active catalytic state (1 × 1). A relationship between the reactivity of oxygen atoms (O_ads) and the concentration of CO_ads molecules was revealed for the Pd(110) surface. Studies using the isotope label ¹⁸O_ads demonstrated that the low-temperature formation of CO₂ at 150 K is a result of the reaction of CO with the highly reactive state of atomic oxygen (O_ads). The possibility of the low-temperature oxidation of CO via interaction with the so-called “hot” oxygen atoms (O_hot) appearing on the surface at the instant of dissociation of O_2ads molecules was studied by the molecular beam techniques.     

Specific Features of the Adsorption of Carbon Monoxide on a Smooth Polycrystalline Platinum Electrode Modified with Adsorbed Silver Atoms

The adsorption of carbon monoxide at the surface of smooth polycrystalline platinum (smPt) is studied in conditions of a preliminary accumulation of various quantities of silver (θ_Ag) on the surface. A comparison with similar data obtained previously for Pt/Pt is conducted. It is discovered that on smPt, exactly as in the case of Pt/Pt, carbon monoxide undergoes adsorption at sites that are not occupied by adsorbed silver, without forcing the preliminarily adsorbed silver out. At small and intermediate Ag_ad, as opposed to Pt/Pt, a mere two peaks are observed in a voltametric curve in the region of electrodesorption of the mixed layer on smPt. It is shown that, in the region of potentials of the first peak, there occurs practically no transition of silver into solution in the course of oxidation of the mixed layer. Specific features that characterize the behavior of the CO_ads + Ag_ad mixed layer are discussed under the assumption about an “islet” character of the adsorption of silver.     

Effect of ionic composition of solutions on the methanol reaction with adsorbed oxygen on smooth polycrystalline platinum electrodes: Transients of the open-circuit potential

Transients of the open-circuit potential observed in the reaction of methanol with oxygen (O_ads) preliminarily adsorbed on smooth polycrystalline platinum (pcPt) are measured in 0.05 M HClO₄, 0.5 M HClO₄, 0.05 M H₂SO₄, 0.05 M H₂SO₄ + 0.45 M Na₂SO₄, and 0.05 M H₂SO₄ + 0.45 M Cs₂SO₄. It is shown that the solution pH has a weak effect on the transient characteristics (when the reversible hydrogen electrode potential scale is used). This confirms the chemical nature of rate-controlling stages in the reaction mechanism. The changes in the reaction rate, observed upon going from one electrolyte to another, are preferentially associated with the involvement of solution ions in the formation of activated surface complexes that include CH₃OH, O_ads, and supporting-electrolyte components.     

Transients of the Open-Circuit Potential during Carbon Monoxide Interaction with Oxygen Preliminarily Adsorbed on Smooth and Platinized Platinum Electrodes

Variations of potential E in time , observed during the carbon monoxide interaction with preliminarily-adsorbed oxygen O_ads on smooth and platinized platinum electrodes under open-circuit conditions (supporting electrolyte 0.5 M H₂SO₄), are measured. The potential decay rate on smooth Pt is more than ten times that on Pt/Pt; there are some differences in the transients as well. The obtained data suggest that CO interacts with O_ads on smooth Pt and Pt/Pt via different mechanisms. Two models for the process on smooth platinum are considered. In one model, the interaction of O_ads with CO from solution is accepted as the rate-determining step; in the other, the interaction of O_ads with CO_ads. A comparison of theoretical E vs. dependences with experimental data using the MathCad program suggests that CO interacts with O_ads via both mechanisms.     

Infrared studies of the effect of acetylene, hydrogen, and oxygen on CO adsorption on platinum hydrosols

Infrared spectra of CO-treated platinum hydrosols subsequently treated with acetylene, hydrogen, and oxygen reveal that v(CO)_ads decreases from 2070 cm⁻¹ with increasing gas-treatment time. This has been attributed to a reduction in the coverage of adsorbed CO. In Pt sol/CO/C₂H₂ systems, v(CO)_ads decreases to a limiting value of ca. 2060 cm⁻¹ after exposure to acetylene. In the Pt sol/CO/H₂ systems, v(CO)_ads decreases to ca. 2050 cm⁻¹ after exposure to hydrogen gas. The lower frequency in the Pt sol/CO/H₂ system has been attributed to CO adsorption on more active metal sites formed from the reduction of surface platinum oxides. Exposure of the CO-treated platinum hydrosols to O₂ gas was found to cause the eventual disappearance of the v(CO)_ads band in infrared spectra, which was attributed to oxidation of adsorbed CO to CO₂ by weakly bound surface layers of platinum oxides formed by the oxygen treatment.     

Polarography of cadmium(II) in presence of substituted alkanolamines

A study has been made of the effect of an irreversibly adsorbed iodide layer on the anodic oxidation of formic acid at a platinized platinum electrode. It is shown that, in the presence of the preadsorbed iodide layer, the oxidation process obeys the following rate expression, i=nF k^→c^α g(θ_I) exp(α_anFφ_r/RT where α≈0.75 and α_an≈0.5. This is explained in terms of the following rate-determining step, (HCOOH)_ads→C_*OOH+H⁺+e and involves the adsorption of formic acid on the iodide covered surface. A strong catalytic effect of the iodide layer is observed; the function g (θ_I) passes through two maxima at θ_I values of 0.15 and 0.53. It is suggested that these effects arise from a coverage-dependent variation of bond strength between the adsorbed iodide and platinum.     

Study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-hexane isomerization on Pt/SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts: Effect of the state of platinum on catalytic and adsorption properties

The state of surface Pt atoms in the Pt/SO₄/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst and the effect of the state of platinum on its adsorption and catalytic properties in the reaction of n-hexane isomerization were studied. The Pt-X/Al₂O₃ alumina-platinum catalysts modified with various halogens (X = Br, Cl, and F) and their mechanical mixtures with the SO₄/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ superacid catalyst were used in this study. With the use of IR spectroscopy (CO_ads), oxygen chemisorption, and oxygen-hydrogen titration, it was found that ionic platinum species were present on the reduced form of the catalysts. These species can adsorb to three hydrogen atoms per each surface platinum atom. The specific properties of ionic platinum manifested themselves in the formation of a hydride form of adsorbed hydrogen. It is believed that the catalytic activity and operational stability of the superacid system based on sulfated zirconium dioxide were due to the participation of ionic and metallic platinum in the activation of hydrogen for the reaction of n-hexane isomerization.     

Adsorption and electrooxidation of dimethyl ether on platinized platinum electrode in sulfuric acid solution

Adsorption and oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME) on the Pt/Pt electrode from 0.5 M H₂SO₄ is studied by measuring transients of current and potential, charging curves, and curves of electrooxidation in the adsorbed layer and also by cyclic voltammetry and steady-state polarization measurements. The DME adsorption is accompanied by dehydrogenation and destruction of its molecules to form a chemisorbed adsorbate that mainly consists of C1 species (HCO_ads and/or CO_ads) with (under certain conditions) a small amount of species that desorb at cathodic polarization. The adsorption and electrooxidation of DME are inhibited by adsorbed oxygen. The possible schemes of DME oxidation, where the reaction of DME chemisorption products with adsorbed oxygen-containing species is the limiting stage, are discussed.     

On the DAPS Capability for Testing the Chemisorbed Species Location

The DAPS can properly indicate the surface layer of platinum atoms that is mostly affected in the course of H₂, O₂ adsorption, H₂+O_ads and NO+H_ads interactions on the Pt(100)-(1×1) single crystal surface.     

Application of Statistical Lattice Models to the Analysis of Oscillatory and Autowave Processes in the Reaction of Carbon Monoxide Oxidation over Platinum and Palladium Surfaces

Statistical lattice models which imitate oscillatory and wave dynamics in the adsorbed layer during of carbon monoxide oxidation over Pt(100) and Pd(110) single crystals differing in the mechanism of autooscillation formation are compared. In the case of platinum, oscillations are due to phase transitions of the catalyst surface structure and surface reconstruction under the action of the reaction medium. In the case of palladium, the driving force of oscillations is phase transitions in the adsorbed layers on the catalyst surface, namely, the reversible formation of subsurface oxygen in the course of the reaction, which modifies the adsorption and catalytic properties of the surface. It is shown that, according to the proposed models, a change in the coverages (CO_ads O_ads) in the autooscillation regimes occurs via the formation of a surface wave whose front is characterized by the high concentration of catalytically active sites that provide the maximal rate of CO₂ molecule formation. Under certain conditions, the formation of various spatiotemporal structures is observed in simulation experiments.     

Distribution profile of hydrogen and oxygen permeating in polymer electrolyte membrane measured by mixed potential

We have succeeded to measure distribution profiles of hydrogen and oxygen permeating in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), the information of which contribute to clarify the Pt deposition mechanism inside the PEM during fuel cell operation. Seven platinum probes were inserted into the PEM to monitor the mixed potential determined by the ratio of O₂ to H₂ diffused from the cathode and the anode, respectively. It was found that an equivalent location L_A(eq) of a large potential jump from ca. 0 V to 0.8 V (vs. RHE) shifted to the cathode side with decreasing oxygen partial pressure in the oxidant gas. The values of L_A(eq) accord well with those calculated from the permeabilities of H₂ and O₂ in the PEM. It was suggested that Pt ions dissolved and diffused from the cathode catalysts were dominantly reduced by H₂ at L_A(eq), forming so-called “Pt band”.     

Mechanism of the reaction NO + H<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the Pt(100)-hex surface under conditions of the spatially nonuniform distribution of reacting species

The interaction of hydrogen with NO_ads/1 × 1 islands produced by NO adsorption on the reconstructed surface Pt(100)-hex was studied by high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and the temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) method. The islands are areas of the unreconstructed surface Pt(100)-1 × 1 saturated with NO_ads molecules. The hexagonal phase around these islands adsorbs much more hydrogen near room temperature than does the clean Pt(100)-hex surface. It is assumed that hydrogen is adsorbed on the hexagonal surface areas that are adjacent to, and are modified by, the NO_ads/1 × 1 islands. The reaction of adsorbed hydrogen atoms with NO_ads takes place upon heating and has the character of so-called surface explosion. The TPR peaks of the products of this reaction—nitrogen and water—occur at T _des ～ 365–370 K, their full width at half-maximum being ～5–10 K. In the case of the NO_ads/1 × 1 islands preactivated by heating in vacuo above the NO desorption onset temperature (375–425 K), after the admission of hydrogen at 300 K, the reaction proceeds in an autocatalytic regime and the product formation rate increases monotonically at its initial stage. In the case of activation at 375 K, during the initial, slow stage of the reaction (induction period), hydrogen reacts with nitric oxide molecules bound to structure defects (NO_def). After activation at 425 K, the induction period is characterized by the formation and consumption of imido species (NH_ads). It is assumed that NH_ads formation involves N_ads atoms that have resulted from NO_ads dissociation on defects upon thermal activation. The induction period is followed by a rapid stage of the reaction, during which hydrogen reacts with NO_{1 × 1} molecules adsorbed on 1 × 1 areas, irrespective of the activation temperature. After the completion of the reaction, the areas of the unreconstructed phase 1 × 1 are saturated with adsorbed hydrogen. The formation of H_ads is accompanied by the formation of a small amount of amino species (NH_2ads).     

Electrocatalysis and pH (a review)

The factors determining pH effects on principal catalytic reactions in low-temperature fuel cells (oxygen reduction, hydrogen oxidation, and primary alcohols oxidation) are analyzed. The decreasing of hydrogen oxidation rate when passing from acidic electrolytes to basic ones was shown to be due to the electrode surface blocking by oxygen-containing species and changes in the adsorbed hydrogen energy state. In the case of oxygen reduction, the key factors determining the process’ kinetics and mechanism are: the O₂ adsorption energy, the adsorbed molecule protonation, and the oxygen reaction thermodynamics. The process’ high selectivity in acidic electrolytes at platinum electrodes is caused by rather high Pt-O₂ bond energy and its protonation. The passing from acidic electrolytes to basic ones involves a decrease in the oxygen adsorption energy, both at platinum and nonplatinum catalysts, hence, in the selectivity of the oxygen-to-water reduction reaction. The increase in the methanol and ethanol oxidation rate in basic media, as compared with acidic ones, is due to changes in the reacting species’ structure (because of the alcohol molecules dissociation) on the one hand, and active OH_ads species inflow to the reaction zone, on the other hand. In the case of ethanol, the above-listed factors determine the process’ increased selectivity with respect to CO₂ at higher pHs. Based on the survey and valuation, priority guidelines in the electrocatalysis of commercially important reactions are formulated, in particular, concepts of electrocatalysis at nonplatinum electrode materials that are stable in basic electrolytes, and approaches to the practical control of the rate and selectivity of oxygen reduction and primary alcohols oxidation over wide pH range.     

Adsorption of NO and CO and specific features of their interaction on the Pt(100) surface

This article presents an analytical review of the author’s results and the literature concerning the nature of species resulting from NO and CO adsorption on the unreconstructed (1 × 1) and reconstructed hexagonal (hex) Pt(100) surfaces, including specific features of the reactions between these species. At 300 K, both surfaces adsorb NO and CO mainly in their molecular states. When adsorbed on Pt(100)-1 × 1, the NO_ads and CO_ads molecules are uniformly distributed on the surface. Under the same conditions, the hexagonal surface undergoes adsorption-induced reconstruction with the formation of NO_ads/1 × 1 and CO_ads/1 × 1 islands, which are areas of the unreconstructed phase saturated with adsorbed molecules and surrounded with the adsorbate-free hex phase. In adsorption on structurally heterogeneous surfaces containing both hex and 1 × 1 areas, the 1 × 1 and hex phases are occupied in succession, the latter undergoing reconstruction into the 1 × 1 phase. The reaction between NO and CO on the unreconstructed surfaces occurs even at room temperature and results in the formation of N₂ and CO₂ in quantitative yield. On the hexagonal surface, a stable layer of adsorbed molecules as (NO_ads + CO_ads)/1 × 1 mixed islands forms under these conditions. Above 350 K, the reaction in the mixed islands is initiated by the desorption of small amounts of the initial compounds, and this is followed by rapid self-acceleration leading to a surface explosion yielding N₂, CO₂, and N₂O (minor product). These products show themselves as very narrow desorption peaks in the temperature-programmed reaction spectrum.     

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.