Coulometric Study of Ethanol Adsorption at a Polycrystalline Platinum Electrode

Abstract

For dilute solutions of ethanol in 1N solution of perchloric acid (HClO4), rates of adsorption and saturation surface coverages were determined by measuring the charge corresponding to blockage of hydrogen adsorption sites under well-controlled conditions of surface cleanliness/activity and mass transport. In a dilute solution of ethanol, oxidative adsorption rates maximize at 0.3 V, dropping off at more cathodic potentials due to competition with adsorbed hydrogen and dropping off at more anodic potentials due to oxidative processes that produce products released to the electrolyte. The time and concentration dependence of adsorption follows relationships that are common for adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. Some evidence is presented supporting a mechanism for production of soluble products that does not involve the adsorbed species that are detected through the measurement of blockage of hydrogen adsorption sites.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA549237

Entities

People

  • Sol Gilman

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acetic Acid
  • Acids
  • Adsorption
  • Alcohols
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Desorption
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Electrodes
  • Electrolytes
  • Equations
  • Fluoropolymers
  • Hydrogen
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Perchloric Acid
  • Platinum
  • Transport Ships

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies