Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
Mechanistic insight into oxide-promoted palladium catalysts for the electro-oxidation of ethanol
Ulises Martinez1, Alexey Serov, Monica Padilla
1Center for Emerging Energy Technologies, The University of New Mexico, 1 University of New Mexico-MSC01 1120, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (USA); Present Address: Materials Physics and Applications, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545 (USA).
Abstract:
Recent advancements in the development of alternatives to proton exchange membrane fuel cells utilizing less-expensive catalysts and renewable liquid fuels, such as alcohols, has been observed for alkaline fuel cell systems. Alcohol fuels present the advantage of not facing the challenge of storage and transportation encountered with hydrogen fuel. Oxidation of alcohols has been improved by the promotion of alloyed or secondary phases. Nevertheless, currently, there is no experimental understanding of the difference between an intrinsic and a synergistic promotion effect in high-pH environments. This report shows evidence of different types of promotion effects on palladium electrocatalysts obtained from the presence of an oxide phase for the oxidation of ethanol. The correlation of mechanistic in situ IR spectroscopic studies with electrochemical voltammetry studies on two similar electrocatalytic systems allow the role of either an alloyed or a secondary phase on the mechanism of oxidation of ethanol to be elucidated. Evidence is presented for the difference between an intrinsic effect obtained from an alloyed system and a synergistic effect produced by the presence of an oxide phase.
More Related Videos
09:02Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
11:44Mizoroki-Heck Cross-coupling Reactions Catalyzed by Dichloro{bis[1,1',1''-phosphinetriyltripiperidine]}palladium Under Mild Reaction Conditions
Published on: March 20, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate
Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Radical Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Alcohols
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Catalysis