Methanol Electro-Oxidation in Alkaline on a Titanium Electrode Supporting Ni-P or Ni Deposits

Abstract

The methanol electro-oxidation in alkaline solution was studied on titanium electrode carrying Ni-P and Ni deposits. The phosphorus in Ni-P makes the Ni-P deposits fine and fine, and leads to the Ni-P deposits with a high specific surface area. Meanwhile, the weak binding between hydrogen and the Ni-P makes adsorbed hydrogen from methanol dehydrogenation on Ni-P deposits more easily cleaned up and makes Ni-P deposits to release fresh surface for the adsorption of other methanol molecules. The methanol electro-oxidation on Ni-P deposits just starts at the potential that coincided with that; at which Ni(OH)2 on the surface of electrodes becomes NiOOH. However, on Ni deposits, methanol oxidation is delayed behind the potential at which Ni(OH)2 is oxidized to NiOOH due to the hindrance of strongly-absorbed hydrogen, which is thought to be desorbed at a bit more positive potential. Patents relevant o the topic have been discussed. Keywords: Alkaline, electrocatalysis, methanol oxidation, Ni-P.