The breaking of the C-C bond in ethylene glycol oxidation at the Pt(111) electrode and its vicinal surfaces

Ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation has been studied on Pt(111) and its vicinal surfaces in acidic media by cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroscopy. Even at Pt(111) the C - C bond is readily broken and CO is formed at low potentials. Both types of steps catalyze the EG oxidation to CO2, being the {110} steps the most catalytic for the splitting of the C - C bond. Spectroscopic results show that glycolic acid and oxalic acid are produced mainly at the close-packed terraces. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.