Study of ruthenium electrodes by X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) (CAT#: STEM-ST-0289-WXH)

Introduction

Hydrogen and oxygen adsorption properties of ruthenium surfaces are characterized and shown to be analogous to those of other noble metals. Ruthenium dissolves on potential cycles, the rate of dissolution on cycles to 1.54 V being much greater than for Pd, Rh, Ir, Pt and Au. Treatment in hot chromic acid or potential cycling to 1.3 V or above results in significant changes in the voltammogram. X-ray emission spectroscopy has demonstrated that these changes are associated with the formation and growth of an oxygen-containing layer on the ruthenium surface.