New insights on the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol on carbon-supported Pt electrode by a novel electrochemical mass spectrometry configuration

• A new configuration of an electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS) was developed.
• The electrooxidation of ethanol on technical carbon-supported Pt (Pt/C) catalyst was studied.
• Methane formation during the positive sweep potential is reported for the first time.
• A complete reaction mechanism for the ethanol oxidation on Pt/C was carried out.

Herein, we demonstrate the versatility and high sensitivity of the meniscus-based approach of a novel on-line electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS) by studying the formation of gaseous/volatile products during ethanol oxidation on carbon-supported Pt electrode. In this way, methane is detected for the first time during ethanol adsorption at this electrode. Accordingly, new insights on the ethanol oxidation reactions are achieved.

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