Electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol at copper bromide modified copper electrode in comparison to bare and copper chloride modified copper electrodes

Copper bromide modified copper electrode was prepared and used to electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray experiments suggested the formation of thin layer of copper bromide on the copper surface. The j0 for copper bromide modified copper and copper chloride modified copper electrodes are 9.8 and 5.7 folds respectively higher than for that of bare copper electrode. For copper bromide modified copper electrode, the charge transfer coefficient (α) and the number of electrons involved in the rate determining step (nα) were calculated as 0.44 and 1 respectively.

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► Copper bromide modified copper electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity.
► An increase of 9.7 folds in the peak current of ethanol was observed at CBMC electrode.
► The copper halide layer bears the main role in electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol.