A Comparative Study of the Electrooxidation of Ethylene Glycol on Transition Metal Electrodes in Alkaline Solution

Abstract

Electrodes made of group VIII and IB metals were examined for their redox process and electrocatalytic activities towards the oxidation of ethylene glycol in alkaline solutions. The method of cyclic voltammetery (CV) and Open circuit potentials measurement (OCP) was employed. It is found that considerable electrooxidation current are observed for silver and copper but lower anodic overpotential for oxidation is obtained for gold and platinum. Oxide layer produced on the surface of all electrodes in alkaline solution under anodic scan participates in ethylene glycol electrooxidation. Oxidation current observed in the reverse scans for platinum and gold are higher than those observed in forward potential scan. Open circuit potential measurements have shown the interaction of ethylene glycol and electrodes.