Online Monitoring of Electrochemical Carbon Corrosion in Alkaline Electrolytes by Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry. Issue 4 (4th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Möller, Sandra; Barwe, Stefan; Masa, Justus; Wintrich, Daniela; Seisel, Sabine; Baltruschat, Helmut; Schuhmann, Wolfgang
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 59:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 1585
• Page End: 1589
• Publication Date: 2019-12-04
• Subjects: carbon corrosion -- cell design -- DEMS -- differential electrochemical mass spectrometry -- electrocatalysis; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201909475
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon corrosion at high anodic potentials is a major source of instability, especially in acidic electrolytes and impairs the long‐term functionality of electrodes. In‐depth investigation of carbon corrosion in alkaline environment by means of differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) is prevented by the conversion of CO2 into CO3 2− . We report the adaptation of a DEMS system for online CO2 detection as the product of carbon corrosion in alkaline electrolytes. A new cell design allows for in situ acidification of the electrolyte to release initially dissolved CO3 2− as CO2 in front of the DEMS membrane and its subsequent detection by mass spectrometry. DEMS studies of a carbon‐supported nickel boride (Ni x B/C) catalyst and Vulcan XC 72 at high anodic potentials suggest protection of carbon in the presence of highly active oxygen evolution electrocatalysts. Most importantly, carbon corrosion is decreased in alkaline solution. Abstract : Caught in the act : Direct detection of CO2 as a marker for carbon oxidation in alkaline electrolytes is now possible using a novel DEMS cell (DEMS=differential electrochemical mass spectrometry) and a specially designed experimental procedure. A high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst loading on carbon suppresses carbon corrosion in alkaline media.