Enhanced Supply of Hydroxyl Species in CeO2 Modified Platinum Catalyst Studied by in Situ ATR FTIR Spectroscopy
The recent development of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) has increased the potential of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) Although highly active electrocatalysts for specific reactions have been successfully developed by placing the most importance on the fuel species, only a few studies have focused on OHad (hydroxyl adsorbed species) which is known to be a common reactive species in alkaline environments. In this study, highly oxophilic CeO2 was selected as a surface modifier for a Pt electrode. We first applied in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy to ionomer coated Pt and CeO2 modified Pt surfaces for clarifying the adsorption behavior of OHad. As a result, a distinct change in adsorption behavior of OHad was confirmed in blank KOH solution. These peculiar characteristics were applicable to various electrochemical oxidation reactions. During the ammonia oxidation reaction, the acceleration of the formation of NOad species was observed in Ce.