Mechanism of the electrooxidation of methanol on a smooth platinum electrode in alkaline solution

Abstract

1. The proposed mechanism of the electrooxidation of methanol on a platinum electrode explains the formation of various chemisorbed particles and various products of electrooxidation in alkaline and acid solutions under stationary conditions. 2. In alkaline solution, in contrast to acid solution, a process of catalytic decomposition of methanol, parallel to the electrooxidation of chemisorbed particles, takes place on a platinum electrode at high concentrations of methanol and at low anodic potentials. 3. The apparent activation energy of the electrooxidation of methanol in alkaline solutions is lower than in acid solutions at the same p'otentials.