Abstract

Modifications of nanocrystalline RuO₂ and Ru films, chemical-vapor deposited on Ti substrates, are studied in aqueous media, at the initial stages of electrocatalytic O₂ evolution. The microstructure, composition and morphology of the films are examined ex situ by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results concerning the influence of electrochemical processing on the chemico-physical properties and electrode behavior are presented and discussed.