Single sweep discharge of Pt electrodes in hydrogen-saturated alkaline solutions

Abstract

The single sweep discharge of smooth and platinized electrodes was investigated in hydrogen-saturated/freshly-prepared and pre-electrolyzed alkaline electrolytes. The activity of the electrodes as hydrogen dissolution catalysts improved as a result of potential scans to the oxygen evolution potential. Improvement in activity was primarily related to oxidation or desorption of metallic impurities in certain instances and to possible surface “oxidation activation”. Studies involving electrode pretreatment, temperature dependence, scan rates and addition of a metallic impurity lend support to the conclusions reached.