Product Distribution of Glycerol Electro-oxidation over Platinum-Ceria/Graphene Nanosheet

Abstract

Pt and ceria nanoparticles were deposited into graphene nanosheets (Pt–CeO_2-x/GNS) via a polyol-assisted reduction process and examined as catalysts for the electro-oxidation of glycerol in alkaline solutions. The electrochemical activity of the catalyst was evaluated by cyclic voltammogram and chronoamperometry measurements. The products of glycerol oxidation over the catalyst were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. It was found that the Pt–CeO_2-x/GNS catalyst facilitated the formation of C3 products. The ratio between C3 products and C2 products is 2.6 for the Pt–CeO_2-x/GNS, which is much larger than that of 0.8 for the GNS supported Pt nanoparticles (Pt/GNS) at −0.4 V (vs. SCE.). Notably, a glyceraldehyde selectivity of 52% over the Pt–CeO_2-x/GNS was obtained at −0.4 V. The enhanced activity and selectivity of Pt–CeO_2-x/GNS catalyst relative to the Pt/GNS catalyst is related to the bifunctional and electronic effects.