This work discusses the electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction o
n platinum on carbon thin porous coating rotating disk electrodes in alkali
ne and acid media. The electrochemical techniques considered are cyclic vol
tammetry, steady state polarization and impedance spectroscopy. Both the de
and ac polarization results are analyzed and simulated with the thin film/
flooded agglomerate model. Cyclic voltammetry allows an inspection of the c
rystal facet structure of the Pt particles and the determination;;of effect
ive surface areas which are lower than those determined from X-ray diffract
ion techniques or transmission electron microscopy. The de polarization and
impedance results show clearly a duplication of the Tafel slope due to str
uctural effects on the porous electrode. Experiments in alkaline solutions
show that in this medium there is an important contribution from the carbon
to the kinetics of the reaction, which is negligible in acid medium. The e
ffect of Pt particle size on the oxygen reduction electrocatalysis in both
electrolytes is correlated with the predominant facets of the platinum crys
tallites. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.