Oxygen Reduction Catalysis at a Dicobalt Center: The Relationship of Faradaic Efficiency to Overpotential

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b12828
• Publication Date: 2016-02-13T16:49:41Z
• Authors: Guillaume Passard; Andrew M. Ullman; Casey N. Brodsky; Daniel G. Nocera
• Keywords: Overpotential; Rotating ring-disk electrode

The selective four electron, proton, electrochemical reduction of O2 to H2O in the presence a strong acid (TFA) is catalyzed at dicobalt center. faradaic efficiency oxygen reaction (ORR) furnished from systematic study by using rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) methods over wide potential range. We derive thermodynamic cycle that gives access standard organic solvents, taking into account an exogenous proton donor. difference ORR selectivity for vs H2O2 depends on as dictated pKa model general and rationalizes efficiencies reported many catalytic systems.