Electrocatalytic reactivity of Pt ad-layer modified Au(111) single crystal electrodes on reduction of oxygen

Electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen at electrochemically deposited Pt ad-layer modified Au(111) electrodes was studied in an O-2-saturated NaOH (0.1 M) solution. The results were compared with those obtained by using a polycrystalline Pt electrode and another Pt-deposited electrode prepared by replacement with Cu on bare Au(111). Linear sweep voltammetry displayed a positive shift of the oxygen reduction potential by about 0.14 V compared to the bare Au(111) electrode. This shift was about 0.06 V compared to a Pt disk electrode. Tafel slopes gradually changed between 0.06 and 0.1 V/dec, from 0.075 to -0.10 V/dec, from lower to higher current density region. The Pt ad-layer clearly served as a catalyst for oxygen reduction via 4-electron transfer. In terms of the desired shift in reduction potential and increased current density, the best electrocatalytic activity was obtained with a 30-s electrodeposited Pt ad-layer modified Au(111) electrode.