Origin of Electrochemical Ozone Activity on Tin-Oxide Based Electrodes

Abstract

Electrochemical ozone production (EOP) is a promising green alternative route for ozone generation with applications in advanced oxidation processes and electro-organic synthesis. Nickel and antimony doped tin oxide (NATO) is a promising EOP active catalyst due to its high selectivity, low cost, and relative lack of toxicity. The origin of high EOP selectivity on NATO is disputed, given that the competing oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is thermodynamically favored due to its lower thermodynamic potential. In this work, we build on previous reports to establish the mechanism of EOP on NATO electrodes and explain the role of dopants in the anode. Additionally, we attribute the lack of electrode stability to the corrosion of the catalyst. Finally, based on our results, we introduce and verify a design framework for inducing EOP activity in tin oxide electrodes.