In situ time-resolved FTIRS study of adsorption and oxidation of ethylene glycol on Pt(100) electrode

Abstract

Adsorption and oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) on Pt(100) electrode were studied by in situ time-resolved FTIRS (TRFTIRS). The TRFTIR spectra recorded at 0.10 V illustrate that an IR band appears near 2050 cm−1 at t > 5 s, corresponding to linearly bonded CO formed in dissociative adsorption of EG. The TRFTIR results have confirmed also that CO species are distributed uniformly on Pt(100) surface. Another band appears near 2342 cm−1 at t > 70 s, associating with IR absorption of CO2 produced in the direct oxidation of EG. With the increase of electrode potential, the direct oxidation of EG becomes gradually the main reaction. When the potential is above 0.40 V, the oxidation of EG occurs mainly via the reactive intermediates, i.e. species containing -COOH determined by in situ TRFTIRS.