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In chemistry, the oxygen reduction reaction refers to the reduction half reaction whereby O 2 is reduced to water or hydrogen peroxide. In fuel cells, the reduction to water is preferred because the current is higher. The oxygen reduction reaction is well demonstrated and highly efficient in nature. [1] [2]
For example, for oxygen, the species would be in the order O 2 (0), H 2 O 2 (–1), H 2 O (-2): The arrow between O 2 and H 2 O 2 has a value +0.68 V over it, it indicates that the standard electrode potential for the reaction: O 2 (g) + 2 H + + 2 e − ⇄ H 2 O 2 (aq) is 0.68 volts.
The values below are standard apparent reduction potentials (E°') for electro-biochemical half-reactions measured at 25 °C, 1 atmosphere and a pH of 7 in aqueous solution. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The actual physiological potential depends on the ratio of the reduced ( Red ) and oxidized ( Ox ) forms according to the Nernst equation and the thermal voltage .
For oxidation-reduction reactions in acidic conditions, after balancing the atoms and oxidation numbers, one will need to add H + ions to balance the hydrogen ions in the half reaction. For oxidation-reduction reactions in basic conditions, after balancing the atoms and oxidation numbers, first treat it as an acidic solution and then add OH − ...
Oxidation half reaction: Fe 0 → Fe 3+ + 3e −; Reduction half reaction: O 2 + 4e − → 2 O 2−; Iron (Fe) has been oxidized because the oxidation number increased. Iron is the reducing agent because it gave electrons to the oxygen (O 2). Oxygen (O 2) has been reduced because the oxidation number has decreased and is the oxidizing agent ...
At the positively charged anode, an oxidation reaction occurs, generating oxygen gas and giving electrons to the anode to complete the circuit. The two half-reactions, reduction and oxidation, are coupled to form a balanced system. In order to balance each half-reaction, the water needs to be acidic or basic.
At the cathode side oxygen molecules react with the protons permeating through the polymer electrolyte membrane and the electrons arriving through the external circuit to form water molecules. This reduction half-cell reaction or oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is represented by: At the cathode:
In aqueous solutions, redox potential is a measure of the tendency of the solution to either gain or lose electrons in a reaction. A solution with a higher (more positive) reduction potential than some other molecule will have a tendency to gain electrons from this molecule (i.e. to be reduced by oxidizing this other molecule) and a solution with a lower (more negative) reduction potential ...