Methanol electrooxidation promoted by UV–vis light irradiation

The present study reports on the promotion of methanol oxidation on Pt using UV–vis light irradiation. The anodic current rapidly responds to UV–vis light irradiation, and the rise and fall of the anodic current coincide with intermittent light irradiation during MeOH electrooxidation at various potentials. This photochemical effect depends on the applied potential and the wavelength of the applied UV–vis light. Irradiation with a short wavelength produces a more pronounced photochemical effect. The enhancement of CO electrooxidation with the aid of the oxygen-containing species formed on the Pt catalyst under UV-light irradiation plays an important role in the promotion of methanol oxidation.

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► UV–vis light irradiation promotes the methanol oxidation reaction.
► Formation of oxygen-containing species enhanced by UV-light irradiation accelerates CO removal from Pt sites.
► Anodic current of MeOH rapidly responds to UV–vis light irradiation.