Modulation of Electrochemical Oscillations by Specific Adsorption of Cl- during the Electrooxidation of Methanol on Pt Electrode

Potential oscillation during the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol can be modulated by the specific adsorption of Cl- on the platinum electrode, which suppresses the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol, and makes the cross cycle in the cyclic voltammogram become smaller and finally disappear with the increase of Cl- concentration. The method is also applicable to the electrocatalytic oxidation of other small organic molecules.

"Initial Potential" Effect on the Dissociative Adsorption of Methanol on A Roughened Platinum Electrode in Acidic Solution

In situ Raman spectroscopic and voltammetric studies indicate that dissociative adsorption of methanol on the rough platinum electrode occurs in the hydrogen ad/desorption potential range, and the dissociative extent depends on the initial potential of the electrode before contacting methanol, in addition to the contacting time. As the dissociative product, carbon monoxide competes the site of strongly bound hydrogen preferentially, and shifts the ad/desorption potentials of weakly bound hydrogen towards more positive ones gradually with the increase of CO coverage. Whereas, formaldehyde dissociates more easily by far and completely suppresses H-adsorption. The confocal Raman spectroscopy developed on transition metals shows some intriguing advantages in investigating electrocatalytic oxidation of small organic molecules.