Potential application of tungsten carbides as electrocatalysts. 1. Decomposition of methanol over carbide-modified W(111)

Citation
Hh. Hwu et al., Potential application of tungsten carbides as electrocatalysts. 1. Decomposition of methanol over carbide-modified W(111), J PHYS CH B, 105(41), 2001, pp. 10037-10044
Citations number
42
Categorie Soggetti
Physical Chemistry/Chemical Physics
Journal title
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
ISSN journal
15206106 → ACNP
Volume
105
Issue
41
Year of publication
2001
Pages
10037 - 10044
Database
ISI
SICI code
1520-6106(20011018)105:41<10037:PAOTCA>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
The decomposition of methanol over clean and carbide-modified W(111) is stu died by using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), high-resolution elec tron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AE S). The chemistry of methanol on unmodified W(111) is predominantly complet e decomposition to produce atomic carbon and H-2, with slightly less than 1 5% of the adsorbed methanol dissociating to form CO, CH4, and H-2. Once the W(111) surface is carbide-modified, however, the most dominant reaction pa thway is still the complete decomposition of CH3OH at similar to 55%, but w ith significantly more CO and CH4 desorbing as gas-phase products. If the c arbide surface is further modified with oxygen, the activity toward the pro duction of CO is further enhanced and becomes the dominant pathway, while t he yield of gas-phase CH4 is slighted reduced compared to the unmodified C/ W(111) surface. These results will be compared to the activity of Pt group metal surfaces to explore the potential application of using tungsten carbi des as an alternative to Pt group metal electrodes in fuel cells.