IN-SITU IR SPECTROSCOPY IN ELECTROCHEMIST RY - ELECTROOXIDATION OF ETHANOL ON RHODIUM ELECTRODES

In-situ IR spectroscopy has been applied to the study of the electroad sorption and oxidation of ethanol at a polycrystalline Rh electrode in acid solutions. The formation of surface and solutions species have b een monitored by different complementary techniques. The scope and fun damentals of the methods used are discussed. The disociative electroad sorption of ethanol is confirmed by the presence of bridged-bonded and linearly adsorbed CO on the Rh surface. In the oxidation region, acet ic acid and carbon dioxide were observed as the mayor reaction product s.