Electrocatalysis of anodic oxygen-transfer reactions at modified lead dioxide electrodes

The electrocatalytic activities were compared for pure and chloride-doped beta-Pb02 (Cl-Pb02) films on gold and platinum substrates. Rate constants were increased significantly for oxidations of Mn^"^, toluene, benzyl alcohol, dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and benzaldehyde in acidic media by the incorporation of CI" into the oxide films. These reactions are concluded to occur by the electrocatalytic transfer of oxygen from H2O to the reaction products. Results of X-ray diffraction studies indicate the Cl-Pb02 film continues to have the slightly distorted rutile structure of pure beta-Pb02. The observed electrocatalytic phenomena are concluded to be the beneficial ^Published in Hsiao, Y.-L.; Johnson, D. C. J. Electrochem. Soc. 1989, 136, 3704-3711.