Electrochemical surface properties of Co3O4 electrodes

The electrochemical behaviour of Co3O4 layers deposited by thermal decomposition of Co(NO3)2 at 200–500°C on titanium supports with and without an interlayer of RuO2 has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and potential step experiments in alkaline solutions. Such variables as the calcination temperature, the solution pH, the potential sweep rate and the oxide loading have been investigated in detail to determine their influence on voltammetric peaks and voltammetric charge. Insight has been gained into the relevance of the latter to surface area determination and to proton diffusion into the oxide layer. The role of the support-active layer interface and especially that of the RuO2 interlayer has been scrutinized. The importance of surface studies for the understanding of the electrocatalytic behaviour of Co3O4 electrodes has been analysed.