Co-deposited Pt–WO3 electrodes. Part 1.—Methanol oxidation and in situ FTIR studies

Abstract

Pt–WO₃ electrodes prepared by electrodeposition from an homogeneous solution show very high activity for methanol oxidation. Electrochemical and in situ FTIR spectroscopic methods have been used to characterise the properties of the Pt–WO₃ electrodes and the influence of various experimental conditions on the electrode activity. The encouraging results achieved are due to the uniform dispersion of Pt on WO₃ and the hydrogen spillover effect during the process of dehydrogenation of methanol. In addition, such electrodes are more resistant to poisoning by the reaction intermediates.