Raman investigation of the O2, Pt/YSZ electrode under polarization

In order to clarify the nature of the oxygen species at the Pt surface in electrochemical cells based on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), we have attempted to obtain in situ Raman spectra of Pt electrode in the temperature range from 300 to 500 °C under controlled atmosphere. The nanocrystalline Pt film, 0.5 μm in thickness, was prepared by a spray pyrolysis technique. We have demonstrated the possibility of monitoring adsorbed oxygen coming from the gas phase or from polarization through YSZ. Surface Pt–O interaction resulting either from oxygen of the gas phase or oxygen supplied electrochemically showed similar spectral signature corresponding to a broad band located near 545 cm− 1 at 350 °C. This broad band was tentatively assigned to the Pt–O stretch mode of atomic oxygen on Pt.