Electrocatalysis of water oxidation by H2O-capped iridium-oxide nanoparticles electrodeposited on spectroscopic graphite.

Abstract

Electrocatalysis of water oxidation by 1.54 nm IrOx nanoparticles (NPs) immobilized on spectroscopic graphite electrodes was demonstrated to proceed with a higher efficiency than on all other, hitherto reported, electrode supports. IrOx NPs were electrodeposited on the graphite surface, and their electrocatalytic activity for water oxidation was correlated with the surface concentrations of different redox states of IrOx as a function of the deposition time and potential. Under optimal conditions, the overpotential of the reaction was reduced to 0.21 V and the electrocatalytic current density was 43 mA cm(-2) at 1 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl) and pH 7. These results beneficially compete with previously reported electrocatalytic oxidations of water by IrOx NPs electrodeposited onto glassy carbon and indium tin oxide electrodes and provide the basis for the further development of efficient IrOx NP-based electrocatalysts immobilized on high-surface-area carbon electrode materials.