Influence of some physico-chemical factors on properties of electrodes that decompose water catalytically

• Published in: Semiconductor Physics Quantum Electronics & Optoelectronics
• Date: 2007
• Main Authors: Primachenko, V.E., Serba, O.A., Chernobai, V.A., Venger, E.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Інститут фізики напівпровідників імені В.Є. Лашкарьова НАН України 2007
• Online Access: https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/117891
• Journal Title: Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
• Cite this: Influence of some physico-chemical factors on properties of electrodes that decompose water catalytically / V.Ye. Primachenko, O.A. Serba, V.A. Chernobai, E.F. Venger // Semiconductor Physics Quantum Electronics & Optoelectronics. — 2007. — Т. 10, № 2. — С. 40-45. — Бібліогр.: 7 назв. — англ.

We have investigated the current creation accompanied by the water
 decomposition H₂O → OH + H caused by various catalytically active electrodes with
 different electrochemical potentials, both without external electric voltage on these
 electrodes and with the applied voltage V₀ = ±9.7 V. It is found that the current value and
 its time dependence are essentially influenced by such factors as thermal and natural (in
 ambient atmosphere) oxidation of electrodes (made of Al, Si, Yb, Ni, Ti, Cr₃Si, and
 Ni₃Si), changing their relief (texturing, polishing), and the electrolytic deposition of
 palladium as an impurity on the surface (Ti, Cr₃Si). Changes in the current caused by the
 above factors are realized as a consequence of changes in both the electron work function inherent to these electrodes and their catalytical activity concerning the water
 decomposition both in the absence and the presence of the external voltage V₀.