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.