Catalysis of the Reduction of Molecular Oxygen at Mixed Valence Complex Modified Electrodes of Prussian Blue Analogs

Abstract

It will be demonstrated that the reduced forms of Prussian Blue, Fe4III[FeII(CN)6]3, and its analogs, iron-ruthenium cyanide, Fe4III[RuII(CN)6]3, iron-osmium cyanide, Fe4III[OsIII.(CN)6]3, do have catalytic activities for the reduction of molecular oxygen in aqueous acidic solutions. The above three complexes give a similar activity. It can be expected that Prussian Blue and its analogs have the capability of delivering two or four electrons, more or less simultaneously, to molecular oxygen in the crystals. The electrochemical behaviour of carbon paste electrodes containing Prussian Blue analogs has been also studied. The carbon paste electrodes show cyclic voltammograms identical with those of the respective modified electrodes with the thin-film form on substrates. This suggests that the technique using the carbon paste electrodes will be extended to various Prussian Blue analogs. The catalytic activities of the carbon paste electrodes are also discussed. © 1984, The Chemical Society of Japan. All rights reserved.