Catalytic Effect of Platinum on Oxygen Reduction An Ab Initio Model Including Electrode Potential Dependence

Abstract

The effects of bonding to a platinum atom are calculated for the reduction of oxygen to water. The electron‐correlation corrected MP2 method is used, and the electrode potential is modeled by variations in values for the electron affinities of the reaction centers. Potential‐dependent transition state structures and activation energies are reported for the one‐electron reactions Pt ‒ O 2 + H + ( aq ) + e − ( U ) → Pt ‒ OOH [ i ] Pt ‒ OOH + H + ( aq ) + e − ( U ) → Pt ‒ ( OHOH ) [ ii ] Pt ‒ ( OHOH ) + H + ( aq ) + e − ( U ) → Pt ‒ OH + H 2 O [ iii ] Pt ‒ OH + H + ( aq ) + e − ( U ) ) → Pt ‒ OH 2 [ iv ] This is the predicted lowest energy pathway. An alternative, where step ( ii ) is replaced by Pt ‒ OOH + H + ( aq ) + e − ( U ) → Pt ‒ O + H 2 O [ v ] is excluded by the high activation energy calculated for it, though reduction of Pt‒O to Pt‒OH Pt ‒ O + H + ( aq ) + e − ( U ) → Pt ‒ OH [ vi ] has a very low activation energy. Compared to uncatalyzed outer‐Helmholtz‐plane values, bonding to the Pt has the effect of decreasing the calculated high reduction activation energies for O 2 and H 2 O 2 . Bonding to Pt also decreases the HOO· and increases the HO· activation energy values. The reverse reaction, oxidation of H 2 O to O 2 , is also discussed in light of these results. The issues of potential‐dependent double‐layer potential drops and adsorbate bond polarizations are discussed, and it is pointed out that the results of this study can be used to estimate the effects of such potential drops. © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.