Electrocatalysis‐Based Kinetics Determinations

Abstract

The term “electrocatalysis” denotes the catalysis of an electrochemical reaction. In accord with the general definition of catalysis1 the effect of an electrocatalyst is to increase the rate of an electrochemical reaction without modifying the overall standard Gibbs energy change in the reaction. Taking the view of Faraday's law, the rate of an electrochemical reaction is expressed by the electrolytic current. Consequently, an increase in the electrolytic current is the main result of electrocatalysis. The benefits of electrocatalysis include making possible the quantitation of the catalyst itself or of some substrate compounds that are not electrochemically active or are not generally amenable to direct electrochemical determination. An appreciable improvement in selectivity may be brought about by electrocatalysis. Additionally, appropriate engineering of catalytic layers on electrode surfaces has led to the preparation of a huge variety of chemical and biochemical sensors. However, close control of the experimental conditions (temperature, electrolyte composition) is often required when dealing with electrocatalytic processes. Usually, such requirements do not give rise to any particular difficulties.