Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
10:52
Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
13.5K
Dynamic CO Electrolysis to Methanol on Pt(111) Surfaces Modified with a Pd Monolayer
Aleksandra Wawrzyniak1, Mark Aarts1, Marc T M Koper1
1Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands.
ACS Catalysis
|April 9, 2026
Summary
Dynamic electrolysis significantly boosts methanol production from carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) using a Pd/Pt catalyst. This method enhances efficiency by 7-11 fold compared to static electrolysis.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
Background:
- Electrochemical reduction of carbon monoxide (CO) to methanol (CH3OH) is crucial for sustainable energy. The Pd/Pt (111) model catalyst shows promise but requires performance enhancement.
- Static electrolysis often limits the efficiency of CO reduction reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the activity and efficiency of electrochemical CO reduction to methanol using dynamic electrolysis.
- To investigate the effect of pulsed potentials and electrolyte cation concentration on methanol production.
Main Methods:
- Applied dynamic electrolysis with square potential waves on a Pd monolayer on Pt(111) catalyst (PdML/Pt-(111)).
- Varied potentials between -0.8 V and +0.8 V vs RHE with different pulse durations.
- Investigated the effect of 1 M potassium cation concentration.
- Analyzed post-catalysis surface morphology using CV, SEM, and AFM.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 7-fold increase in Faradaic Efficiency (FE) for methanol production (12.6%) using pulsed potentials (-0.8 to +0.4 V, 1s pulses).
- Observed an 11-fold increase in FE (20.1%) with 1 M potassium cation concentration.
- Demonstrated a 5-fold FE improvement for CO2 electrolysis under similar dynamic conditions.
- Post-catalysis analysis revealed bilayer island formation and exposed Pt surface.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic electrolysis significantly enhances methanol production from CO and CO2 on the PdML/Pt-(111) catalyst.
- Pulsed potential operation and optimized electrolyte composition are key to improving catalytic performance.
- This approach holds potential for broader application in electrocatalysis for methanol synthesis and minimizing hydrogen evolution.
