Electrochemical Stability and Degradation Mechanisms of Commercial Carbon-Supported Gold Nanoparticles in Acidic Media

Abstract

Electrochemical stability of a commercial Au/C catalyst in an acidic electrolyte has been investigated by an accelerated stress test (AST), which consisted of 10,000 voltammetric scans (1 V/s) in the potential range between 0.58 and 1.41 VRHE. Loss of Au electrochemical surface area (ESA) during the AST pointed out to the degradation of Au/C. Coupling of an electrochemical flow cell with ICP-MS showed that only a minor amount of gold is dissolved despite the substantial loss of gold ESA during the AST (∼35% of initial value remains at the end of the AST). According to the electrochemical mass spectrometry experiments, carbon corrosion occurs during the AST but to a minor extent. By using identical location scanning electron microscopy and identical location transmission electron microscopy, it was possible to discern that the dissolution of small Au particles (<5 nm) within the polydisperse Au/C sample is the main degradation mechanism. The mass of such particles gives only a minor contribution to the overall Au mass of the polydisperse sample while giving a major contribution to the overall ESA, which explains a significant loss of ESA and minor loss of mass during the AST. The addition of low amounts of chloride anions (10-4 M) substantially promoted the degradation of gold nanoparticles. At an even higher concentration of chlorides (10-2 M), the dissolution of gold was rather effective, which is useful from the recycling point of view when rapid leaching of gold is desirable.