Unravelling the bi-functional role of cation-regulated surface hydroxyl kinetics in Pt-catalyzed alcohol fuel cells
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Updated: May 23, 2026

Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts
Published on: November 7, 2025
Zhangyan Mu1, Zhibin Ma1, Weiyi Zhao2
1Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
Electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation is pivotal for renewable energy conversion, yet its widespread application is hindered by generally low efficiency, necessitating the development of advanced catalytic systems with boosted electro-oxidation kinetics. In an alkaline electrolyte, the effect of alkali metal cations has been identified as a key impacting factor on the alcohol oxidation activity, but the underlying mechanistic interactions remains insufficiently explored. Here we elucidate the fundamental cation effects on hydroxyl (OHads) adsorption and subsequent surface bi-molecular kinetics in Pt (and alloys)-catalyzed alcohol electro-oxidations through combined electrochemical voltammetry, in situ surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) and in situ electrical transport spectroscopy (ETS). Systematic evaluations reveal that alkali metal cations regulate the micro-electro-kinetics by modulating the surface coverage of OHads, which acts bi-functionally as both reactant species and spectator in alcohol oxidations. A matching adsorption kinetics of OHads and alcohol is key towards the optimal alcohol oxidation activity, providing valuable insights into the cation-mediated alloy catalyst systems and high-concentration conditions in alcohol fuel cells.
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