Nano-Electrochemical Detection of Hydrogen or Protons Using Palladium Nanoparticles: Distinguishing Surface and Bulk Hydrogen

• Published in: Chemphyschem Vol. 7; no. 5; pp. 1081 - 1085
• Main Authors: Batchelor-McAuley, Christopher, Banks, Craig E., Simm, Andrew O., Jones, Timothy G. J., Compton, Richard G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 12.05.2006; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; electrocatalysis; Electrochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; hydrogen; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; nanoparticles; palladium; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Electrocatalysis; nanoparticles; Hydrogen; Nanoparticle; Electrochemistry; Proton; Transition metal; Palladium; Chemical sensor; Platinoid
• ISSN: 1439-4235; 1439-7641
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.200500571

The benefits of using nanoparticle‐modified electrodes are exemplified through the electrochemical detection of protons and/or hydrogen. It is shown that a palladium‐nanoparticle‐modified boron‐doped diamond allows voltammetric information relating to the relative roles played by the surface and the bulk metal to be obtained for the proton–hydrogen system at palladium surfaces which is not accessible using palladium macroelectrodes or microelectrodes. A deeper insight into the Pd/H2/H+ system: The electrochemical response of a palladium‐nanoparticle‐modified boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrode for the electrochemical detection of protons and/or hydrogen (see cyclic voltammogram for the reduction of PdCl2 in H2SO4 at a BDD electrode) is explored. The roles played by the surface‐ and bulk‐absorbed hydrogen, which cannot be observed at palladium macro‐ or microelectrodes, are identified.