Electrochemical characterization of tungsten carbonyl compound for oxygen reduction reaction

The results of electrochemical studies carried out on Wx(CO)n electrocatalyst are presented in this article. Wx(CO)n was synthesized from W(CO)6 in xylene at 140°C. The kinetic studies were carried out in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution under a three-electrode configuration. Linear voltametry studies on Wx(CO)n reveal significant catalytic activity of the material for oxygen reduction. Koutecky–Levich analysis of the voltametry data shows that the reaction follows first-order kinetics and the value of the Koutecky–Levich slope indicates a multi-electron charge transfer in the oxygen reduction reaction. The value of Tafel slope is found to be −120 mV/decade from the mass-transfer-corrected Tafel plots. The charge transfer coefficient and exchange current density were found to be 0.66 and 8.4×10−5 A/cm2, respectively.