THE ROLE OF MORPHOLOGY IN THE METHANOL ELECTROOXIDATION REACTION

The electrochemical kinetics for the oxidation of methanol to CO2 in t he low overpotential region on platinum have been measured, whilst sim ultaneously monitoring the coverage of the electrode with adsorbed CO, Attack on adsorbed CO by water appears to be the rate-limiting proces s for smooth polished platinum, whereas migration of the CO to active sites limits the reaction rate for electrochemically roughened platinu m. It is clear that adsorbed CO helps to stabilize the roughened plati num surface, allowing oxidation of methanol to take place at significa ntly lower overpotentials.