1 research outputs found
Autocatalysis through the Generation of Water during Methanol Oxidation over a Titania-Supported Platinum Catalyst
Methanol may play a major role in a hydrogen economy
by serving
as one of the highest energy density compounds available; however,
the precise reaction pathways for methanol oxidation catalysts have
yet to be fully elucidated. Herein, a combination of packed-bed reactor
studies and high-vacuum surface science techniques was used to elucidate
the reaction mechanism of methanol oxidation over a Pt/TiO2 catalyst. The reactor studies highlight that methyl formate is produced
under mild reaction conditions, and full combustion to CO2 is achieved at elevated catalyst temperatures. The surface science
experiments show that the production of CO2 proceeds through
a surface-bound formate intermediate via multiple
proton-coupled electron-transfer steps. Importantly, we also find
that the water produced upon initial methanol adsorption plays a key
role in unlocking the oxidative chemistry of this Pt-based material.
These results provide valuable insight into potential modifications
that could preferentially direct catalyst activity toward partial
or full oxidation, thereby unlocking methods for producing valuable
commodity chemicals