Enhanced Methanol Oxidation on Platinum Single Crystal Electrodes Studied by UHV Spectroscopies, Electrochemistry and Isotope Methods

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Understanding the mechanism of the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on platinum electrodes is important to the development of improved methanol oxidation catalysts for use in fuel cells. In this research project, supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, submonolayer amounts of ruthenium deposited on a platinum electrode have been found to significantly enhance the rate of electrocatalytic methanol oxidation. A combination of ultra high vacuum electron spectroscopic methods and radio-labelling techniques will be used to investigate the role of the structure of these ruthenium deposits in the methanol oxidation catalysis. A basic understanding of the mechanism of this important catalytic system is likely to result from this work. The correlation between the structure of submonolayer ruthenium deposits on platinum electrodes, and their activity for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol will be explored in this research project. Structures and compositions of these submonolayer deposits will be obtained by electron spectroscopic and radiochemical methods. A more detailed understanding of this technologically important catalytic reaction should ensue.