XPS Studies of Oxygen Evolution on Ru and RuO2 Anodes

Anodic oxidation of Ru and electrodes in has been investigated using x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. During evolution on Ru a highly defective hydrated oxide film is formed as a result of corrosion. At a temperature of 310°C in vacuum this film decomposes to metallic ruthenium. The surface of anodes prepared by thermal decomposition of contains some , which is stable during anodic polarization. A reaction path for evolution and corrosion on Ru and anodes is proposed.