XPS and STEM Study of the Interface Formation between Ultra-Thin Ru and Ir OER Catalyst Layers and Perylene Red Support Whiskers

Abstract

The interface formation between perylene red (PR) and ruthenium or iridium OER catalysts has been studied systematically by XPS and STEM. The OER catalyst over-layers with thicknesses ranging from ~0.1 to ~50 nm were vapor deposited onto PR ex-situ. As seen by STEM, Ru and Ir form into nanoparticles, which agglomerate with increased loading. XPS data show a strong interaction between Ru and PR. Ir also interacts with PR although not to the extent seen for Ru. At low coverages, the entire Ru deposit is in the reacted state while a small portion of the deposited Ir remains metallic. Ru and Ir bonding occur at the PR carbonyl sites as evidenced by the attenuation of carbonyl photoemission and the emergence of new peak assigned to C-O single bond. The curve fitting analysis and the derived stoichiometry indicates the formation of metallo-organic bonds. The co-existence of oxide bonds is also apparent.