INFLUENCE OF SAMARIUM ON THE ELECTROCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF PLATINUM-ELECTRODES FOR THE HYDROGENATION OF BENZENE

The hydrogenation of benzene on platinum electrodes in 0.5 M sulfuric acid as supporting electrolyte has been studied in the presence and th e absence of samarium in solution. The hydrogenation overpotential of preadsorbed benzene was diminished to similar to 90 mV with samarium i n the solution and the hydrogenation current was significatively incre ased. These results are interpreted in terms of a synergic effect of s amarium on hydrogen adsorption and, consequently, on the electrocataly tic activity of the platinum electrode for the hydrogenation of benzen e.