Copper-Modified Gold Nanoparticles as Highly Selective Catalysts for Glycerol Electro-Oxidation in Alkaline Solution

摘要

The C-3 selectivity of carbon-supported Au nanoparticles for glycerol electro-oxidation was significantly enhanced by the interaction of Au with electro-deposited Cu species. Notably, the C-3 selectivity of supported Au nanoparticles doubled after 90min of Cu electro-deposition at +0.015V. This result was obtained if glycerol electro-oxidation was performed at +0.1V for 2h. The most selective catalysts contained an Au+ species that was generated by an interaction between Au and electro-deposited Cu2O. The presence of Au+ increased the selectivity to glycerate and tartronate and suppressed C-C bond cleavage to glycolate and formate simultaneously.