Oxygen Reduction on Au(100)-like Polycrystalline Gold Electrode in Alkaline Solution

摘要

Catalytic properties of polycrystalline gold, Au(poly), were examined for the oxygen reductionreaction in alkaline solution using the rotating disc electrode technique. On electrochemically preparedAu(poly), oxygen reduction proceeds partly through 4e-reaction pathway resembling the activity ofbare Au(100) in alkaline solution. Electrochemical behavior of such Au(100)-like polycrystalline goldelectrode was compared with bare Au(100) surface, as well as with steppedAu(210)=Au[2(100)x(110)] and Au(533)=Au[4(111)x(100)] surfaces. It is shown that polycrystallinegold electrode behaved in a similar manner as stepped Au[n(111)x(100)] surfaces, meaning that theenrichment in (111)x(100) steps, rather than in (100) orientation is responsible for a partial 4e-reactionpathway in alkaline solution.