Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The accumulation of electrochemically produced bubbles is inevitable in gas-evolving reactions and can induce potential losses by theoretically increasing activation, concentration, and ohmic overpotentials. These effects are often either overstated or completely neglected in the literature, which complicates the accurate analysis of experimental results for gas evolution reactions. This study systematically identifies and quantifies the overpotential losses induced by bubbles by combining experimental results for hydrogen (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER), obtained using the rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique, with simulations based on a two-dimensional transmission line model. Our results show that ohmic overpotential is the primary cause of apparent activity loss due to bubbles in RDE. This effect leads to catalyst activity misestimates exceeding 2 orders of magnitude, and Tafel slope errors of 100% at higher currents if left uncorrected. By identifying these effects, this work provides a robust framework for mitigating inaccuracies and improving the characterization of electrocatalysts for gas evolution reactions.
Source: ACS Catalysis
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Awards: G1766064583, Electrochemically grown bimetallic Cu-Zn nanostructured catalysts for cost efficient electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction into added-value chemicals, Unlocking the Selective Catalytic Conversion Processes of CO2 to Ethanol – UliSess, Understanding the role of dopants as a key step towards efficient oxygen evolution catalysts., Advanced materials for low-carbon and sustainable society, Synthesis and transformations of multimetallic nanoparticles for electrocatalysis, Infrastructural program of National institute of Chemistry, 4D STEM of energy related materials down to quantum level, Towards Nanostructured Electrocatalysts with Superior Stability, Fundamental understanding of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction for a new generation of nickel-based electrocatalysts in alkaline water and chlor-alkali electrolysis, Enhancing the Performance of Energy Conversion and Storage Systems through 2D Modified Electrochemical Interfaces
OpenAlex ID: W4409167670