Electrochemical and XAS analysis of the ruthenium-dioxide material, a catalyst for Dimensionally Stabilized Anodes

TL;DR

This study uses XAS and electrochemical analysis to investigate the structure and activity of RuO2-coated titanium electrodes, revealing nano clustering and surface heterogeneity that enhance electrocatalytic performance during chlorine generation.

Contribution

It provides detailed structural insights into RuO2 catalysts, highlighting nano clustering and surface heterogeneity as key factors for improved electrochemical activity.

Findings

RuO2 forms nano clusters during chlorine generation

Surface heterogeneity correlates with electrochemical performance

Distorted rutile structure enhances electrocatalytic activity

Abstract

This manuscript represents an investigation of structure, property and electrochemical activity for commercially available RuO2 coated titanium electrode, known as DSA. The investigation mainly aimed at XAS studies to understand the hidden structural information for RuO2. Two different (150 micron) and a (6 micron) titanium metal coated with RuO2 was exposed at ex-situ and in-situ XAS experiment to find out its electrocatalytic property and corrosion during chlorine generation reaction. A detailed survey of XANES and EXAFS showed that the stable RuO2 formed a nano cluster during chlorine generation reaction and these clusters produced a distorted rutile structure with an enhanced electrocatalytic activity. These nano clusters possibly the cause of generating surface heterogeneity of the present ruthenium dioxide material (active catalyst for DSA). With the help of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy we are able to detect the surface heterogeneity, this surface heterogeneity is having key role for outstanding electrochemical performance of these DSA electrodes.