Work

Unifying the 2e– and 4e– Reduction of Oxygen on Metal Surfaces

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding trends in selectivity is of paramount importance for multi-electron electrochemical reactions. The goal of this work is to address the issue of 2e(-) versus 4e(-) reduction of oxygen on metal surfaces. Using a detailed thermodynamic analysis based on density functional theory calculations, we show that to a first approximation an activity descriptor, ΔGOH*, the free energy of adsorbed OH*, can be used to describe trends for the 2e(-) and 4e(-) reduction of oxygen. While the weak binding of OOH* on Au(111) makes it an unsuitable catalyst for the 4e(-) reduction, this weak binding is optimal for the 2e(-) reduction to H2O2. We find quite a remarkable agreement between the predictions of the model and experimental results spanning nearly 30 years.

Source: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

DOI: 10.1021/jz301476w

Authors: Venkatasubramanian Viswanathan, Heine Anton Hansen, Jan Rossmeisl, Jens K. Nørskov

Institutions: Stanford University, Technical University of Denmark, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

OpenAlex ID: W2000736334

FWCI: 5.228

Cites: 30

Cited by: 394

Related to: 10