Oxygen evolution mediated by RuO2 colloidal redox catalysts in aqueous systems

Abstract

In this paper is reported the kinetics for O₂ evolution when aqueous solutions of iron(III) tris(2,2′–bipyridyl)[Fe(bipy)³⁺₃], PbO₂, sodium perborate (NaBO₃· 4H₂O) and Suprox (perisophthalic acid) are brought into contact with catalytical amounts of powdered RuO₂ or their colloids. RuO₂ protected by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and poly(vinyl pyridine) produces stoichiometric amounts of oxygen at low catalyst concentrations. The observed yields of O₂ are strongly pH-dependent in all cases. Long-term stability of the colloids employed during the work allows a detailed study of the oxidants used to be made.