Nano-structured Pd-Sn catalysts for alcohol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium

Active self-supported Pd1Snx catalysts are synthesized by the sacrificial support method. Their catalytic activities towards C-1 to C-3 alcohol oxidation are determined in alkaline medium. The comparison of the activities allows discarding a first base-catalyzed deprotonation reaction of alcohol as oxidation rate-determining step, speaking up for mechanisms involving a C-adsorption of carbon bearing an alcohol function. It is also shown that desorption of dihydroxyacetone is the glycerol oxidation-limiting step at low potentials. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.