Investigating the platinum electrode surface during Kolbe electrolysis of acetic acid

Olde Nordkamp M, Ashraf T, Altomare M, Borca AC, Ghigna P, Priamushko T, Cherevko S, Saveleva VA, Atzori C, Minguzzi A, He X, Mul G, Mei B (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Surfaces and Interfaces Elsevier

Book Volume: 44

Article Number: 103684

DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2023.103684

Abstract

Platinum is commonly applied as the anode material for Kolbe electrolysis of carboxylic acids thanks to its superior performance. Literature claims that the formation of a barrier layer on the Pt anode in carboxylic acid electrolyte suppresses the competing oxygen evolution and promotes anodic decarboxylation. In this work, we show by using a combination of complementary in situ and ex situ surface sensitive techniques, that the presence of acetate ions also prevents the formation of a passive oxide layer on the platinum surface at high anodic potentials even in aqueous electrolyte. Furthermore, Pt dissolves actively under these conditions, challenging the technical implementation of Kolbe electrolysis. Future studies exploring the activity-structure-stability relation of Pt are required to increase the economic viability of Kolbe electrolysis.

Authors with CRIS profile

Serhiy Cherevko Lehrstuhl für Elektrokatalyse (HIERN)

Involved external institutions

Università degli Studi di Pavia

Italy (IT) University of Twente

Netherlands (NL) Università degli studi di Milano

Italy (IT) European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF)

France (FR)

How to cite

APA:

Olde Nordkamp, M., Ashraf, T., Altomare, M., Borca, A.C., Ghigna, P., Priamushko, T.,... Mei, B. (2024). Investigating the platinum electrode surface during Kolbe electrolysis of acetic acid. Surfaces and Interfaces, 44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2023.103684

MLA:

Olde Nordkamp, Margot, et al. "Investigating the platinum electrode surface during Kolbe electrolysis of acetic acid." Surfaces and Interfaces 44 (2024).

BibTeX: Download