Surface-enhanced IR spectroscopy investigation on the electro-oxidation of CO adlayer at a polycrystalline Pt film electrode in Cl−-containing HClO4

The electro-oxidation of CO adlayer on Pt electrode in Cl−-containing 0.1 M HClO4 has been investigated with in situ attenuated-total-reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS). Two potentials were selected for predosing CO on the Pt electrode: one is in the H-UPD region, i.e., 0.1 V (vs. RHE) and the other is in the double-layer region, i.e., 0.45 V (vs. RHE). The broadening of the prewave and the main peak for the CO oxidation is observed, in addition to the positively shifted oxidation potentials. The spectroelectrochemical data suggest the specific adsorption of Cl− starts at a potential as negative as 0.1 V which may compete with the adsorption of OH at CO-unoccupied sites (including but not limited to defect sites) and/or hinder the diffusion of CO to OH adsorption sites on Pt electrode, slowing down the CO oxidation. This competitive Cl− adsorption at lower potentials disrupts the interfacial free H2O structure on the top of CO adlayer, signaled by a reduced OH stretching band intensity.