The electrochemical oxidation of small organic molecules (SOMs) is a key electrochemical process and has broad technological applications in fuel cells, sensors, and catalysis. Recently, most attention has focused on the oxidation of alcohols such as methanol and ethanol utilizing an ever-broadening array of Pt-based electrocatalysts. Considerable increases in catalytic activity and stability have been achieved by tuning the size, composition, and morphology of Pt catalysts. However, several key technological shortfalls remain in the development of these catalysts with sufficient activity and cost-effectiveness for commercial use. In recent work, we have focused our efforts on employing solution-based methods to produce alloy-type Pt-based nanostructures with tunable structure, size, and composition. Specifically, Pt is combined with abundant and less expensive metals such as silver and first-row transition metals to increase the performance and cost-effectiveness of the catalyst. The electrochemical properties and electrocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized catalysts toward the oxidation of SOMs is examined as a function of the structure of the active sites at the catalytic interface, with the goal of reducing catalyst poisoning and increasing the efficiency of the oxidation process.

Influence of catalyst composition and active site structure in precious metal electrocatalysts for the oxidation and detection of small organic molecules

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.