The oscillatory electro-oxidation of 2-propanol on platinum: the effect of temperature and of the addition of methanol

The oscillatory electro-oxidation of 2-propanol on platinum and on platinum-based catalysts have attracted growing attention in recent years due to its importance to the interconversion between chemical and electrical energies. This reaction might proceed with a very high selectivity to acetone, nearly without formation of carbon dioxide, and the reversibility of the 2-propanol/acetone pair is very appropriate for hydrogen transfer. An important aspect of this system is the ubiquitous emergence of potential oscillations under current control, and it has been pointed as problem to be avoided and a primary cause of limitation to the use of 2-propanol in practical devices. Herein we present an experimental study of the electrochemical instabilities in the electro-oxidation of 2-propanol on platinum. The system was studied using polycrystalline platinum, in acidic media and at different temperatures. Besides the extensive characterization of the potential oscillations, we have also discussed possible venues of engineer the dynamics to benefit from the potential oscillations. In this sense, we have also characterized the instabilities in the system containing a mixture of 2-propanol and methanol. The efficiency of a hypothetical fuel cell operated under different conditions is also presented.