Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: In most applications,\nelectrocatalysts exhibit a large surface area to volume ratio, for example\nusing nanoparticles. To fully understand fundamental electrochemical processes\nat the length scale of these nanoparticles, it is necessary to use specialized\nexperimental techniques. In this thesis, the stability and activity of platinum\nelectrode surfaces are studied at the nano- and micrometer scale using\nElectrochemical Scanning Probe Microscopy (EC-SPM) techniques. \nChapters 2 and 3 describe the roughening of an atomically flat Pt(111) surface\nupon repetitive oxidation and reduction. These data were acquired using a\ncombination of Electrochemical Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (EC-STM) and\nCyclic Voltammetry (CV). Chapter 4 describes the development of a new technique\nto resolve small differences in local reactivity: voltammetric Scanning\nElectrochemical Cell Microscopy (SECCM). The power of this technique is demonstrated\nby studying the reactivity of a polycrystalline Pt sample towards hydrazine\noxidation. Finally, Chapter 5 compares the reactivity of small Pt\nultramicroelectrodes to that of conventional macroelectrodes.
Author: Leon Jacobse
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3044207956