Influence of beryllium cations on the electrochemical oxidation of methanol on stepped platinum surfaces in alkaline solution

The role of beryllium on the oxidation of methanol on Pt stepped surfaces (Pt[(n-1) (111)x(110)]) orientation Pt(553) with n = 5, Pt(554) n = 10, Pt(151514) n = 30), Pt(111) and Pt(110) single crystals in alkaline media was studied by cyclic voltammetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). The results suggest that under the conditions of the experiment, the methanol oxidation reaction follows a direct pathway with formaldehyde and formate as reaction intermediates. The combination of OHads and beryllium blocks the adsorption and oxidation of methanol on Pt(111), but appears to promote the complete oxidation of methanol to carbon dioxide/carbonate on Pt(110). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.