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The effects of the specific adsorption of anion on the reactivity of the Ru(0001) surface towards CO adsorption and oxidation: in situ FTIRS studies

Lookup NU author(s): Jia Jin, Professor Wen-Feng Lin, Professor Paul ChristensenORCiD

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Abstract

The dynamics of adsorption and oxidation of CO on Ru(0001) electrode in sulfuric acid solution have been studied using in situ FTIR spectroscopy under potential control and at open circuit, the latter at 20 and 55°C. The in situ IR data show clearly that the bisulfate anion adsorbs on the Ru(0001) surface over the potential range from -200 mV to 350 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) at 20°C in the absence and presence of adsorbed CO; however, increasing the temperature to 55°C and/or increasing the concentration of dissolved O 2 reduces the bisulfate adsorption. The formation of surface (hydro-) oxide at higher potentials replaces the bisulfate adsorbates. Both linear (COL) and three-fold hollow bonded CO (COH) adsorbates were produced following CO adsorption at Ru(0001) in H2SO 4, as was observed in our previous studies in HClO4. However, the amount of adsorbed CO observed in H2SO4 was ca. 10% less than that in HClO4; in addition, the COL and COH frequencies were higher in H2SO4, and the onset potential for COads oxidation 25 mV lower. These new results are interpreted in terms of a model in which the adsorbed bisulfate weakens the CO adlayer, allowing the active Ru oxide layer to form at lower potentials. Significantly different results were observed at open circuit in H 2SO4 compared both to the data under potential control and to our earlier data in HClO4, and these observations were rationalized in terms of the adsorbed HSO4- anions (pre-adsorbed at -200 mV) inhibiting the oxidation of the surface at open circuit (after stepping from the initial potential of -200 mV), as the latter was no longer driven by the imposed electrochemical potential but via chemical oxidation by trace dissolved O2. Results from experiments at open circuit at 55°C and using oxygen-saturated H2SO4 supported this model. The difference in Ru surface chemistry between imposed electrochemical control and chemical control has potential implications with respect to fuel cell electrocatalysis. © the Owner Societies.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Jin JM, Lin WF, Christensen PA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

Year: 2008

Volume: 10

Issue: 25

Pages: 3774-3783

ISSN (print): 1463-9076

ISSN (electronic): 1463-9084

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b802701c

DOI: 10.1039/b802701c


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