Electrochemical behaviour of benzene on platinum electrodes

The adsorption and oxidation of benzene in acidic media on platinum electro des (polycrystalline and single-crystal electrodes) have been studied by cy clic voltammetry and in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The o xidation characteristics of benzene depend on the surface structure of the platinum electrode used. In all platinum electrodes studied, the main reduc tion product of benzene is: cyclohexane, and the oxidation products detecte d by infrared spectroscopy have been CO2 and benzoquinone. Pt(100) is the s urface more active for the oxidation of benzene to CO2 and Pt(110) is the s urface more active for the reduction of benzene to cyclohexane. (C) 2000 El sevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.