Mechanistic Investigations of Electrochemical Ethanol Oxidation Reaction by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

The Electrochemical Ethanol Oxidation Reaction (EOR) plays a pivotal role in next‐generation energy conversion devices. A clear understanding of the EOR reaction mechanism is critical for rational catalyst design, a task complicated by the numerous reaction intermediates and pathways involved. To this end, in situ Raman spectroscopy has proven invaluable in identifying many such intermediates at the electrode/electrolyte interface under varying applied potentials. Therefore, this technique allows for inference of the reaction mechanism based on the detected Raman signals of intermediates and observed structural changes, positioning in situ Raman spectroscopy as one of the most suitable methods for studying the EOR reaction mechanism. In this short review, with an eye towards future applications, we concentrate on the essential fundamentals of EOR and highlight recent advancements in understanding the EOR mechanism by in situ Raman spectroscopy.

One-pot synthesis of PdAuAg nanocrystals for efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol: achieving morphology control by independently adjusting metal-atom concentrations

“…, direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs), 38 but commercial electrocatalysts, such as Pt/C, are hampered by several problems including poor stability and low anti-CO poisoning capability. 39 Constructing Pd–M dual sites could create multiple peculiar active centers, 40–42 and also manipulate the surface electronic state of Pd for optimizing the surface affinity towards key intermediates and also enhance the anti-poisonous capability towards CO-based species. 43–45 To this end, we loaded three types of as-obtained PdAuAg nanocrystals on carbon black, employed them as electrocatalysts, and tested their performance for EOR in alkaline medium.…”