The electrochemical oxygen reduction on the graphite electrode

✍ Scribed by B. Lovreček; M. Batinic; J. Čaja

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1983
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 501 KB
• Volume: 28
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0013-4686
• DOI: 10.1016/0013-4686(83)85065-8

✦ Synopsis

The electrochemical reduction of the oxygen has been studied on graphite in alkaline solution. Current-potential data have been obtained by the voltammetry on the rotating disc electrode and potential-time data by the galvanostatic method on a stationary electrode. The residual current which appears is attributed lo the reduction of oxidized carbon species and to atomic hydrogen deposition at the surface of the electrode. Detailed numerical analysis, by separating the kinetic factor of the two voltammetric waves obtained experimentally in the presence of O,, undoubtedly shows that each wave corresponds exactly to a two-electron reaction. Depending on rotation rate, first, surface migration and then first electron transfer is the slow step. in the potential range of the second wave, the atomic hydrogen deposition takes place simultaneously with the reduction of oxygen. The fact that the charge involved in the reduction of oxygen apparently falls, suggests that atomic hydrogen participates in the oxygen reduction.