Rewriting Electron-Transfer Kinetics at Pyrolytic Carbon Electrodes Decorated with Nanometric Ruthenium Oxide
By Parker, Joseph F.; Kamm, Gabrielle E.; McGovern, Ashlee D.; DeSario, Paul A.; Rolison, Debra R.; Lytle, Justin C.; Long, Jeffrey W.
Published in Langmuir
Abstract
Platinum is state-of-the-art for fast electron transfer whereas carbon electrodes, which have semimetal electronic character, typically exhibit slow electron-transfer kinetics. But when we turn to practical electrochemical devices, we turn to carbon. To move energy devices and electro(bio)analytical measurements to a new performance curve requires improved electron-transfer rates at carbon. We approach this challenge with electroless deposition of disordered, nanoscopic anhydrous ruthenium oxide at pyrolytic carbon prepared by thermal decomposition of benzene (RuOx@CVD-C). We assessed traditionally fast, chloride-assisted ([Fe(CN)6]3