Synthesis,surface chemistry and electrocatalytic properties of oxygen-modified tungsten carbide in relation to the electrochemical hydrogen oxidation

The surface chemistry of tungsten carbide was studied using an indicator spectrophotometric method and X-ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy. The presence of WO₂, WO₃ and adsorbed polytungstate ions was identified on the surface of WC specimens. The electrocatalytic activity of oxygen-modified tungsten carbide was attributed to the WO₂ at their interface with WC. This conclusion is supported by the presence of some density of states of the 5d, 6s electrons at the Fermi level on the W⁴⁺ and by the relationship between exchange current density and concentration of the lattice O^2?. Insertion of oxygen atoms in the WC crystal lattice leads to a widening of the anodic range of potentials in which the WC maintains its electrochemical activity in hydrogen oxidation reaction.