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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The dual pathway in action: decoupling parallel routes for CO2 production during the oscillatory electro-oxidation of methanol

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Author(s):
Nagao, Raphael [1] ; Cantane, Daniel A. [1] ; Lima, Fabio H. B. [1] ; Varela, Hamilton [1, 2]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Chem Sao Carlos, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[2] Ertl Ctr Electrochem & Catalysis, Kwangju 500712 - South Korea
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics; v. 14, n. 23, p. 8294-8298, 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 31
Abstract

As in the case of most small organic molecules, the electro-oxidation of methanol to CO2 is believed to proceed through a so-called dual pathway mechanism. The direct pathway proceeds via reactive intermediates such as formaldehyde or formic acid, whereas the indirect pathway occurs in parallel, and proceeds via the formation of adsorbed carbon monoxide (COad). Despite the extensive literature on the electro-oxidation of methanol, no study to date distinguished the production of CO2 from direct and indirect pathways. Working under, far-from-equilibrium, oscillatory conditions, we were able to decouple, for the first time, the direct and indirect pathways that lead to CO2 during the oscillatory electro-oxidation of methanol on platinum. The CO2 production was followed by differential electrochemical mass spectrometry and the individual contributions of parallel pathways were identified by a combination of experiments and numerical simulations. We believe that our report opens some perspectives, particularly as a methodology to be used to identify the role played by surface modifiers in the relative weight of both pathways-a key issue to the effective development of catalysts for low temperature fuel cells. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/05156-0 - Electrocatalysis of the ethanol electrooxidation on platinum monolayers deposited on core-shell nanoparticles
Grantee:Fabio Henrique Barros de Lima
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 09/07629-6 - Electrocatalysis IV: fundamental and applied aspects of electrocatalytic processes, bio-electrocatalysis and kinetic instabilities
Grantee:Edson Antonio Ticianelli
Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 09/11073-3 - Investigation of the mechanism of ethanol electro-oxidation on metallic nanoparticles.
Grantee:Daniel Augusto Cantane
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 09/00153-6 - Spatio-temporal self-organization in electrocatalysis
Grantee:Raphael Nagao de Sousa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate