New effects in the electrochemistry of carbon dioxide on platinum by the application of potential perturbations

The electroformation and electrooxidation of carbon dioxide adsorbates were studied on polycrystalline and preferentially oriented platinum surfaces by the application of medium frequency potential perturbations in saturated carbon dioxide aqueous sulphuric acid solutions. Preferentially oriented platinum surfaces were obtained by the application of fast symmetric square wave potential programmes to polycrystalline electrodes based on well-known methodology. Two new electrochemical characteristics for the electrochemistry of carbon dioxide were observed after the application of the medium frequency routines, that is, an extended adsorption potential domain for the formation of carbon dioxide adsorbates, and novel voltammetric features for the two anodic stripping peaks. These effects upon carbon dioxide electrochemistry are dependent on the morphology of the platinum electrode surface and adsorption potentials.