J L Hübner, L E B Lucchetti, H N Nong, D I Sharapa, B Paul, M Kroschel, J Kang, D Teschner, S Behrens, F Studt, A Knop-Gericke, S Siahrostami, P Strasser
Hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) is a widely used green oxidant. Until now, research has focused on the development of efficient catalysts for the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e- ORR). However, electrolyte effects on the 2e- ORR have remained little understood. We report a significant effect of alkali metal cations (AMCs) on carbons in acidic environments. The presence of AMCs at a glassy carbon electrode shifts the half wave potential from -0.48 to -0.22 VRHE . This cation-induced enhancement effect exhibits a uniquely sensitive on/off switching behavior depending on the voltammetric protocol...
April 12, 2024: ACS Energy Letters