Abstract
The mechanism of hydrogen oxidation on a platinum-loaded gas-diffusion electrode has been investigated. Experimental potential–current curves, especially in the low overpotential range, have been measured for H2–N2 mixtures with a small content of hydrogen and for pure H2. Theoretical relations have also been presented. Comparing the experimental and theoretical relations, it is concluded that the hydrogen oxidation occurs according to the Volmer–Tafel mechanism. The reactivity of the electrode has a large effect on the kinetic parameters for hydrogen oxidation. The limiting current is determined by diffusion of hydrogen for a very reactive gas diffusion electrode and by the Tafel reaction for a gas diffusion electrode with a low reactivity. The transfer coefficient for the Volmer reaction αV is 0.5 and i0,V/i0,T ≤ 0.1 for a very reactive gas diffusion electrode. αV increases and i0,V/i0,T ratio decreases with decreasing reactivity of the gas diffusion electrode.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
K. J. Vetter, `Elektrochemische Kinetik', Springer Verlag, Berlin (1961).
M. W. Breiter, `Electrochemical Processes in Fuel Cells', Springer Verlag, Berlin (1969).
A. J. Appleby, M. Chemla, H. Kita and G. Bronoël, in `Encyclopedia of Electrochemistry of the Elements' vol. IX, part A (edited by A. J. Bard), Marcel Dekker, New York (1982), pp. 384–97.
V. V. Sobol, A. A. Dmitrieva and A. N. Frumkin, Soviet Electrochem. 3 (1976) 928.
J. A. Harrison and Z. A. Khan, J. Electroanal. Chem. 30 (1971) 327.
S. Schuldiner, J. Electrochem. Soc. 115 (1968) 386.
K. J. Vetter and D. Otto, Z. Electrochem. 60 (1956) 1072.
M. Volmer and H. Wick, Z. Physik Chem. 172A (1955) 429.
W. Roiter and J. S. Polujan, J. Phys. Chem. USSR 7 (1936) 775.
W. Vogel, J. Lundquist, P. Ross and P. Stonehart, Electrochim. Acta 20 (1975) 79.
P. Stonehart and P. N. Ross, Electrochim. Acta 21 (1976) 441.
J. J. T. T. Vermeijlen and L. J. J. Janssen, J. Appl. Electrochem. 23 (1993) 26.
J. Horiuti, T. Keii and K. Hirota, J. Res Inst. Catalysis, Hokkaido University 2 (1950-53) 1.
J. O'M. Bockris and S. Srinivasan, Electrochim. Acta 9 (1964) 31.
J. J. T. T. Vermeijlen, Eindhoven, PhD thesis (1994).
M. Enyo, B. E. Conway, J. O'M. Bockris, E. Yeager, S. U. M. Khan and R. E. White (eds), `Comprehensive Treatise of Electrochemistry', Vol. 7, Plenum Press, New York and London (1983).
[17] J. J. T. T. Vermeijlen and L. J. J. Janssen, J. Appl. Electrochem. 23 (1993) 1237.
M. Böld and M. Breiter, Z. Electrochem. 64 (1960) 897.
Zh. L. Vert, J. A. Mosevich and J. Tverdovsky, Doklady Akad. Nuak S.S.S.R. 140 (1961) 149.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
VERMEIJLEN , J.J.T.T., JANSSEN , L.J.J. & VISSER , G.J. Mechanism of hydrogen oxidation on a platinum-loaded gas diffusion electrode. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 27, 497–506 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018434325530
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018434325530