Bifunctional oxygen electrodes

The objective of the research on bifunctional oxygen electrodes for alkaline electrolytes was to improve significantly both the cathodic and anodic polarization as well as the cycle life of such electrodes. The research has focused on finding high-efficiency, long-life electrocatalysts for O2 reduction and generation and achieving an understanding of the mechanisms of the catalysis. Catalyst systems which have been examined in alkaline electrolytes have included the following:various types of carbons and graphites; chemically-modified carbons and graphites using adsorptive attachment (e.g., various quinones, macrocycles and chemical linkages); silver and various intermetallics; various oxide systems including perovskites, spinels, pyrochlores and other mixed transition metal oxides; transition metal macrocycles including porphyrins, phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines and tetraazaannulenes; and thermally-treated macrocycles. Mechanistic studies have particularly focused on the reduction of O2 on various carbon/graphite surfaces and the role of the O2(-) radical ion.