Towards a Generalized ORR Mechanism in M2+‐Containing DMSO: Oxygen Reduction and Evolution in Ca2+‐Containing DMSO on Atomically Smooth and Rough Pt

Abstract

AbstractThe oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in Ca2+ containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on atomically smooth Pt(111) and Pt(100) and rough Pt surfaces is reported. As demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry and XPS, the bromine adlayer used to protect Pt single crystals against ambient air and solvent vapor is desorbed in DMSO and does not affect the following measurements. Cyclic voltammetry, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), and rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) investigations with variation of the electrode surface roughness and atomically surface structure show, that on Pt electrodes the CaO2 adsorbate layer formation determines the ORR product distribution. On Pt electrodes, calcium peroxide is formed on the clean electrode, whereas calcium superoxide is formed at the adsorbate covered electrode. We furthermore identified four key parameters, which strongly affect the ORR product distribution: 1) The electrode oxide interaction: A strong interaction increases superoxide contribution; 2) The alkaline earth metal oxide interaction: A strong interaction increases peroxide contribution; 3) The electrode surface area: A large electrode surface area increases peroxide contribution; 4) Electrode surface defects: Defects increase superoxide contribution. Finally, reviewing earlier results of our group, we provide a more general mechanism for the oxygen reduction alkaline earth metal cation containing DMSO, for a variety of electrode materials.