Electrochemical characterization of tungsten carbonyl compound for oxygen reduction reaction

The results of electrochemical studies carried out on W-x(CO)(n) electrocat alyst are presented in this article. W-x(CO)(n) was synthesized from W(CO)( 6) in xylene at 140 degreesC. The kinetic studies were carried out in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution under a three-electrode configuration. Linear voltametry st udies on W-x(CO)(n) reveal significant catalytic activity of the material f or oxygen reduction. Koutecky-Levich analysis of the voltametry data shows that the reaction follows first-order kinetics and the value of the Kouteck y-Levich slope indicates a multi-electron charge transfer in the oxygen red uction reaction. The value of Tafel slope is Found to be - 120 mV/decade fr om the mass-transfer-corrected Tafel plots. The charge transfer coefficient and exchange current density were found to be 0.66 and 8.4 x 10(-5) A/cm(2 ), respectively. (C) 2000 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Pu blished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.