Ni- and Sb-Doped SnO2 Electrocatalysts with High Current Efficiency for Ozone Production via Electrodeposited Nanostructures

Ozone is a powerful disinfectant in water treatment, and electrochemical ozone production (EOP) is desirable because it can be safer than current production methods. The greatest challenge for electrochemical ozone production is the lack of catalysts with high selectivity for ozone evolution. Nickel- and antimony- doped tin oxide electrodes synthesized from sol-gels and nanoparticles have been reported to reach ozone current efficiencies up to 50% for electrochemical ozone production. In this study, we present a novel electrodeposition synthesis method that results in current efficiencies up to 63%. The optimal temperature of the post-deposition oxidation treatment is determined by the tradeoff between catalyst stability and crystallinity. Analysis via microscopy and X-ray diffraction suggests that electrodeposited films provide sufficient Ni concentration, surface area, and morphology to support a solution-mediated ozone production reaction.