Electrocatalysis on Surfaces Modified by Foreign Metal Adatoms

Abstract

An approach to the problem of electrocatalysis, which consists of modification of electrode surfaces by foreign metal adatoms, is presented. The paper reviews the work done in the author's lab on the effects of foreign metal adatoms, formed by underpotential deposition, on kinetics of several electrode reactions. Catalytic effects have been illustrated on examples of oxidation of some organic molecules, oxygen reduction, and electrodeposition of metals. The inhibition has been found with hydrogen evolution on noble metals. Small catalytic and inhibitory effects have been observed with redox reactions. The effects of foreign adatoms on the surface properties of electrode catalyst and the origins of catalytic and inhibitory effects have been analysed. The use of such adatoms as a probe in investigation of the mechanism of electrode reactions is discussed. Copyright © 1979 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim