H2 evolution and molecular electrocatalysts: determination of overpotentials and effect of homoconjugation.
In an effort to standardize the determination of overpotential values for H(2)-evolving catalysts in non-aqueous solvents and allow a reliable comparison of catalysts prepared and assayed by different groups, we propose to adopt the half-wave potential as reference potential. We provide a simple method for measuring it from usual stationary cyclic voltammograms, and we derive the formulas to which the measured potential should be compared, taking into account the effect of homoconjugation. We also revisit tabulated values of the standard reduction potential of protons in nonaqueous solvents, E(H+/H(2))°.
Laboratoire de Chimie et Biologie des Métaux, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unite Mixte de Recherche 5249, CEA, DSV/iRTSV, 17 rue des Martyrs, F-38054 Grenoble cedex 9, France.
Vincent
V
Fourmond
Pierre-André
PA
Jacques
Marc
M
Fontecave
Vincent
V
Artero