Open AccessStability limits of tin-based electrocatalyst supports
Author(s) -
Simon Geiger,
Olga Kasian,
Andrea Maria Mingers,
Karl Johann Jakob Mayrhofer,
Serhiy Cherevko
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-017-04079-9
Subject(s) - dissolution , tin oxide , oxide , tin , electrocatalyst , materials science , corrosion , cathodic protection , inorganic chemistry , electrochemistry , electrolyte , antimony , metal , anode , chemical engineering , electrode , chemistry , metallurgy , engineering
Tin-based oxides are attractive catalyst support materials considered for application in fuel cells and electrolysers. If properly doped, these oxides are relatively good conductors, assuring that ohmic drop in real applications is minimal. Corrosion of dopants, however, will lead to severe performance deterioration. The present work aims to investigate the potential dependent dissolution rates of indium tin oxide (ITO), fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) and antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) in the broad potential window ranging from −0.6 to 3.2 V RHE in 0.1 M H 2 SO 4 electrolyte. It is shown that in the cathodic part of the studied potential window all oxides dissolve during the electrochemical reduction of the oxide – cathodic dissolution . In case an oxidation potential is applied to the reduced electrode, metal oxidation is accompanied with additional dissolution – anodic dissolution . Additional dissolution is observed during the oxygen evolution reaction. FTO withstands anodic conditions best, while little and strong dissolution is observed for ATO and ITO, respectively. In discussion of possible corrosion mechanisms, obtained dissolution onset potentials are correlated with existing thermodynamic data.