Skip to main content

Electrocatalytic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols: Application to the direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC)

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry volume 31, pages 799–809 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

The electrooxidation of some low molecular weight alcohols, such as ethanol, ethylene glycol and n-propanol, is discussed in terms of reaction mechanisms and catalytic activity of the anode material. Some examples of a single cell, using a proton exchange membrane (PEM) as electrolyte, are given to illustrate interesting results, particularly for the direct electrooxidation of ethanol. This alcohol may replace methanol in a direct alcohol fuel cell.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. C. Lamy, J-M. Léger and S. Srinivasan, Direct methanol fuel cells — From a 20th century electrochemist's dream to a 21st century emerging technology, in J.O'M. Bockris (Ed.), 'Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry', Vol. 34 (Plenum, New York, 2001), Chapter 3, pp. 68-123.

    Google Scholar 

  2. R.W. Glazebrook, J. Power Sources 7 (1982) 215.

    Google Scholar 

  3. K. Tamura, T. Tsukui, T. Kamo and T. Kudo, Hitachi Hyoron 66 (1984) 49.

    Google Scholar 

  4. H. Cnobloch, D. Gröppel, H. Kohlmüller, D. Kühl, H. Poppa and G. Siemsen, Progr. Batteries & Solar Cells 4 (1982) 225.

    Google Scholar 

  5. H. Cnobloch and H. Kohlmüller, 27th I.S.E. Meeting, Zurich, Sept. (1976), Extended Abstract 282.

  6. B. Beden and C. Lamy, Infrared reflectance spectroscopy, in R.J. Gale (Ed.), 'Spectroelectrochemistry — Theory and Practice', (Plenum, New York, 1988), Chapter 5, pp. 189-262.

    Google Scholar 

  7. D.M. Kolb, UV-visible reflectance spectroscopy, in R.J. Gale (Ed.), op. cit. [6], Chapter 4, pp. 87-188.

    Google Scholar 

  8. E.M. Belgsir, E. Bouhier, H. Essis-Yei, K.B. Kokoh, B. Beden, H. Huser, J-M. Léger and C. Lamy, Electrochim. Acta 36 (1991) 1157.

    Google Scholar 

  9. B. Bittins-Cattaneo, E. Cattaneo, P. Königshoven and W. Vielstich, in A.J. Bard (Ed.), 'Electroanalytical Chemistry', Vol. 17 (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1991), pp. 181-220.

    Google Scholar 

  10. J-M. Léger, J. Appl. Electrochem., Special Issue of the Portoroz Meeting (2000).

  11. B. Beden, J-M. Léger and C. Lamy, Electrocatalytic oxidation of oxygenated aliphatic organic compounds at noble metal electrodes, in J.O'M. Bockris, B.E. Conway and R.E. White (Eds), 'Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry', Vol. 22 (Plenum, New York, 1992), Chapter 2, pp. 97-264.

    Google Scholar 

  12. B. Beden, C. Lamy, A. Bewick and K. Kunimatsu, J. Electroanal. Chem. 121 (1981) 343.

    Google Scholar 

  13. M.I. Santos-Lopes, B. Beden, F. Hahn, J-M. Léger and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 313 (1991) 323.

    Google Scholar 

  14. E.M. Belgsir, H. Huser, J-M. Léger and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 225 (1987) 281.

    Google Scholar 

  15. J.M. Pérez, B. Beden, F. Hahn, A. Aldaz and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 262 (1989) 251.

    Google Scholar 

  16. T. Iwasita and E. Pastor, Electrochim. Acta 39 (1994) 531.

    Google Scholar 

  17. H. Hitmi, E.M. Belgsir, J-M. Léger, C. Lamy and R.O. Lezna, Electrochim. Acta 39 (1994) 407.

    Google Scholar 

  18. S.C. Chang, L.W. Leung and M.J. Weaver, J. Phys. Chem. 94 (1990) 6013.

    Google Scholar 

  19. N. Fujiwara, K.A. Friedrich and U. Stimming, J. Electroanal. Chem. 472 (1999) 120.

    Google Scholar 

  20. V.M. Schmidt, R. Ianniello, E. Pastor and S. González, J. Phys. Chem. 100 (1996) 17901.

    Google Scholar 

  21. H. Laborde, A. Rezzouk, J-M. Léger and C. Lamy, in S. Srinivasan, D.D. MacDonald and A.C. Khandkar (Eds), Proceedings of the Symposium on 'Electrode Materials and Processes for Energy Conversion and Storage', The Electrochem. Society, PV-94-23 (1994), pp. 275-293.

  22. F. Delime, J-M. Léger and C. Lamy, J. Appl. Electrochem. 29 (1999) 1249.

    Google Scholar 

  23. N.R. de Tacconi, R.O. Lezna, B. Beden, F. Hahn and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 379 (1994) 329.

    Google Scholar 

  24. G. Tremiliosi-Filho, E.R. Gonzalez, A.J. Motheo, E.M. Belgsir, J-M. Léger and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 444 (1998) 31.

    Google Scholar 

  25. W. Hauffe and J. Heitbaum, Electrochim. Acta 23 (1978) 299.

    Google Scholar 

  26. C. Lamy, Electrochim. Acta 29 (1984) 1581.

    Google Scholar 

  27. F. Hahn, B. Beden, F. Kadirgan and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 216 (1987) 169.

    Google Scholar 

  28. E.M. Belgsir, H. Huser, C. Lamy and J-M. Léger, J. Electroanal. Chem. 270 (1989) 151.

    Google Scholar 

  29. D. Takky, PhD thesis, University of Poitiers (1987).

  30. M.C. Morin, C. Lamy, J-M. Léger, J.L. Vasquez and A. Aldaz, J. Electroanal. Chem. 283 (1990) 287.

    Google Scholar 

  31. J. Clavilier, C. Lamy and J-M. Léger, J. Electroanal. Chem. 125 (1981) 249.

    Google Scholar 

  32. M. Watanabe and S. Motoo, J. Electroanal. Chem. 60 (1975) 267.

    Google Scholar 

  33. H.A. Geisteiger, N. Markovic, P.N. Ross and E.J. Cairns, J. Phys. Chem. 98 (1994) 617.

    Google Scholar 

  34. A. Kabbabi, R. Faure, R. Durand, B. Beden, F. Hahn, J-M. Léger and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 444 (1998) 41.

    Google Scholar 

  35. W. Chrzanowski and A. Wieckowski, Langmuir 14 (1998) 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  36. R. Adzic, in H. Gerischer (Ed.), 'Advances in Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering', Vol. 13 (J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 1984), p. 159.

    Google Scholar 

  37. F. Kadirgan, B. Beden and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 136 (1982) 119 and 143 (1983) 135.

    Google Scholar 

  38. B. Beden, F. Kadirgan, A. Kahyaoglu and C. Lamy, J. Electroanal. Chem. 135 (1982) 329.

    Google Scholar 

  39. H. Cnobloch, D. Gröppel, H. Kohlmüller, D. Kühl and G. Siemsen, Power Sources Symp. Proc. 24 (1979) 389.

    Google Scholar 

  40. P. Ocon, B. Beden and C. Lamy, Electrochim. Acta 32 (1987) 1095.

    Google Scholar 

  41. M. Watanabe, S. Saegussa and P. Stonehart, J. Electroanal. Chem. 271 (1989) 213.

    Google Scholar 

  42. J. Wang, H. Nakajima and H. Kita, Electrochim. Acta 35 (1990) 323.

    Google Scholar 

  43. G. Méli, J-M. Léger, C. Lamy and R. Durand, J. Appl. Electrochem. 23 (1993) 197.

    Google Scholar 

  44. C. Lamy, J-M. Léger and F. Garnier, Electrocatalytic properties of conductive polymers, in H.S. Nalwa (Ed.), 'Organic Conductive Molecule and Polymers', Vol. 3 (J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 1997), pp. 471-496.

    Google Scholar 

  45. A.S. Arico, P. Creti, P.L. Antonucci and V. Antonucci, Electrochem. Solid-State Lett. 1 (1998) 66.

    Google Scholar 

  46. J. Wang, S. Wasmus, and R.F. Savinell, J. Electochem. Soc. 142 (1995) 4218.

    Google Scholar 

  47. F. Delime, PhD thesis, University of Poitiers (1997).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Electrocatalysis, University of Poitiers, 86022, Poitiers, France

    C. Lamy, E.M. Belgsir & J-M. Léger

Authors
  1. C. Lamy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E.M. Belgsir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J-M. Léger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lamy, C., Belgsir, E. & Léger, JM. Electrocatalytic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols: Application to the direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC). Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 31, 799–809 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017587310150

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017587310150

  • alcohol oxidation
  • direct alcohol fuel cell
  • electrode material
  • reaction mechanism