Experimental Proof of the Bifunctional Mechanism for the Hydrogen Oxidation in Alkaline Media

• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201708484
• Publication Date: 2017-10-16T20:04:59Z
• Authors: Jingkun Li; Shraboni Ghoshal; Michael K. Bates; Todd E Miller; Veronica Davies; Eli Stavitski; Klaus Attenkofer; Sanjeev Mukerjee; Zi‐Feng Ma; Qingying Jia
• Keywords: Realization (probability)

Realization of the hydrogen economy relies on effective production, storage, and utilization. The slow kinetics evolution oxidation reaction (HER/HOR) in alkaline media limits many practical applications involving generation utilization, how to overcome this fundamental limitation remains debatable. Here we present a kinetic study HOR representative catalytic systems media. Electrochemical measurements show that rate Pt-Ru/C Ru/C is decoupled their binding energy (HBE), challenging current prevailing HBE mechanism. alternative bifunctional mechanism verified by combined electrochemical situ spectroscopic data, which provide convincing evidence for presence hydroxy groups surface Ru sites potential region its key role promoting rate-determining Volmer step. conclusion presents important references design selection catalysts.