Cobalt hydroxide film on Pt as co-catalyst for oxidation of polyhydric alcohols in alkaline medium

Abstract

Electrochemical behavior of chemically prepared Co(OH) 2 film on Pt has been studied in alkaline medium using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Amount of Co(OH) 2 deposited increases linearly with the number of times of deposition. The deposit is of fibrous structure, as shown by scanning electron microphotograph. There is evidence of Co II/Co III and Co III/Co IV redox transitions during the cyclic potential scan. The former oxidation proceeds under diffusion control. The Co(OH) 2 deposit acts as an efficient co-catalyst for anodic oxidation of ethanediol, propanediol and glycerol on Pt in alkaline medium. This is demonstrated by appreciable enhancement of the alcohol oxidation currents upon deposition of Co(OH) 2 on Pt. Among the alcohols studied, the highest oxidation currents are obtained for ethanediol, both on Co(OH) 2/Pt and bare Pt. Co(OH) 2 alone also acts as a redox mediator for alcohol oxidation at more positive potentials.