Some features of alcohols electrooxidation process on Pd, Rh and PdRh catalysts

PdRh/C catalyst and electrodeposited Pd, Rh and PdRh particles on glassy carbon electrode were studied in methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions in comparison with Pt-containing catalysts. Some features of this process have been described: (1) the appearance of oxidation peak in acidic and neutral media is possible only when polarization on CV is prolonged to hydrogen adsorption region where the surface OH-group formation occurred and surface oxides are reduced; (2) the CV-responses of model systems (electrodeposited Pd, Rh, PdRh) corresponding to alcohol oxidation increase and deform even during relaxation period when polarization is switched off; (3) experiments with addition of corresponding aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde) to alcohol solution with stabilized CV responses showed that only increase in currents but not deformation of CV occurred. The addition of acid residue did not change the response noticeably. The formation of the same electroactive species, gem-diolate, for both alcohol and aldehyde electrooxidation mechanisms was supposed.