Catalysis of the reduction of acetylene at poly-3-methylthiophene electrodes

Widespread interest has been evoked in recent years in conducting polymers due to their possibilities in the areas of battery/fuel cell research and e lectroanalysis. This study is part of a long-term effort to explore the pot ential applications of poly-3-methylthiophene (P3MT) electrodes, deposited both on noble metal electrodes and on active metals such as nickel, copper, iron and stainless steel, molybdenum (these are designated here as M/P3MT electrodes). Reported here are the results for the reduction of acetylene a t M/P3MT electrodes, where M = Pt, glassy carbon, glassy carbon and Mo. We have found that it is possible to shift the product ratio for the reduction toward ethylene (as opposed to ethane) to a varying extent in these electr odes, especially when molybdenum is incorporated into the P3MT film. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.