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Electrodeposited Rh and Rh–Cu Alloys as Ethanol-Tolerant Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction in Alkaline Media

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Abstract

In this study, rhodium–copper alloys of different compositions are electrodeposited on graphite electrode from aqueous solutions. The bulk compositions of these alloys are determined using energy dispersive X-ray analysis and surface morphologies are investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The catalytic performance of these alloys in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media is investigated by linear sweep voltammetry on rotating disk electrode assembly. The number of electrons transferred per O2 molecule (n) obtained at different potentials is four indicating full reduction of oxygen to hydroxide ion. It is shown that Rh–Cu alloys are better electrocatalysts than Rh with Rh–Cu-2 having 68.7% copper is the best in the series. Also, the resistance of the Rh–Cu electrocatalysts towards ethanol poisoning is investigated and it is found that the addition of Cu-enhanced ethanol tolerance in the course of the ORR. Finally, it has been shown that the electrocatalysts have good stability in alkaline solution.

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Acknowledgment

We would like to thank the financial support of the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research of Sharif University of Technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of Technology, P.O. Box 11365-9516, Tehran, Iran

    Fereydoon Gobal & Ramezan Arab

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  1. Fereydoon Gobal
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  2. Ramezan Arab
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Correspondence to Ramezan Arab.

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Gobal, F., Arab, R. Electrodeposited Rh and Rh–Cu Alloys as Ethanol-Tolerant Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction in Alkaline Media. Electrocatal 2, 42–51 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-010-0034-x

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