Oxygen evolution reaction on thermally treated iridium oxide films

The properties of electrochemically grown and thermally treated oxide films on iridium were examined by cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic polarization at potentials of the oxygen evolution reaction in 0.5 mol dm^–3 sulphuric acid. The oxide was grown by square wave pulses from –0.25 to +1.25 V vs SCE, a procedure much faster in comparison with potentiodynamic activation at the same frequency. The activated electrode, exhibiting low corrosion resistance during oxygen evolution, was subsequently stabilized by heat treatment. Optimal conditions between stability and electrocatalytic activity have been determined to be between 200 and 300°C.