Electro-oxidation of ethanol on Pt/C, Rh/C, and Pt/Rh/C-based electrocatalysts investigated by on-line DEMS

► Pt/Rh/C presented higher activity than Rh/C. ► On-line DEMS measurements revealed higher CO2/acetaldehyde ratio on Rh/C. ► The current and CO2 formation was balanced controlling the Pt amount on Rh/C. ► The higher CO2 on the Pt1Rh/C was ascribed to its ability for C-C bond cleavage.