Non - Faradaic Electrochemical Modification of Catalytic Activity REVERSIBLE PROMOTION OF PLATINUM METALS CATALYSTS

The catalytic activity and selectivity of platinum metals can be altered dramatically and reversibly by interfacing the metal with a solid electrolyte which supplies ions onto the catalyst sugace under the influence of an external potential. The induced change in catalytic rate is orders of magnitude higher than the rate of ion supply. This new effect has revealed a surprisingly simple exponential relationship between catalytic activity and catalyst workfunction. The effect appears to apply to all heterogeneously catalysed reactions, but is particularly pronounced for platinum. This interfacing of electrochemistry and catalysis appears to offer some exciting theoretical and technological possibilities.