Cyclic voltammetric analysis of C1–C4 alcohol electrooxidations with Pt/C and Pt–Ru/C microporous electrodes

The effect of temperature on methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and 2-butanol electrooxidation is investigated with Pt/C and Pt–Ru/C microporous electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry is employed in temperatures ranging from 25 to 80 °C to provide quantitative and qualitative information on the kinetics of alcohol oxidation. Methanol displays the greatest activity atom alcohols. The addition of ruthenium reduces the poisoning effect, although it is ineffective with secondary alcohols. Secondary alcohols undergo a different oxidation mechanism at higher temperatures. Microporous electrodes provide detailed information on alcohol oxidation.