Electrochemical modification and deposition of bifunctional metal-alloys and metal-oxides

Electrocatalysts are extremely important in energy conversion. While it is universally accepted that platinum are relatively excellent catalysts, it is reported that platinum alloys have a higher catalytic activity [2]. In this present example, one Pt Black electrode was replaced by a Pt/Ru Oxide electrode with increased effects. Other non-noble element versions such as Cu, Ni have been considered. However, the issues with platinum electrodes are not only the production cost but also the electrochemical oxidations that occur during processes that hinder its catalytic activities and thus performance due to progressive degradation [3].
The present and future work will deal with the characterisation of the intrinsic relationship between the electrolyte and the material electrode at atomic level with electrochemical and structural techniques so as to understanding what governs affinity, stability and reactivity of electrode materials.
Three objectives are set: the study of metal oxidation in the case for instance of Cu and Ni in variable low pH concentration; the metal deposition in oxidising controlled environment and the metallic, bimetallic oxide material electrodeposition. In order to extrapolate and have consistent results, work will be done firstly on single crystal and then pursued on binary bulk crystals.

References:
[1] F. Vigier, C. Coutanceau, A. Perrard, E.M. Belgsir, C. Lamy, "Development of anode catalysts for a direct ethanol fuel cell", Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 34 (2004) 439-446
[2] J. Cheng, D.A. Cullen, R.V. Forest, J.A. Wittkopf, Z. Zhuang, W. Sheng, J.G. Chen, Y. Yan, "Platinum-Ruthenium Nanotubes and Platinum-Ruthenium Coated Copper Nanowires As Efficient Catalysts for Electro-Oxidation of Methanol", ASC Catalysis, 5 (2015) 1468-1474
[3] J. Drnec, D.A. Harrington and O.M. Magnussen, "Electrooxidation of Pt(111) in acid solution", Current Opinion in Electrochemistry 4 (2017) 69-75