Influence of Surface Structure of Platinum Electrodes on Electrooxidation of CO

The oxidation of CO on platinum electrodes in an acid solution was studied with the conventional electrochemical methods and the on-line electrochemical mass spectroscopy. It was found that this reaction is strongly determined by the surface morphology of platinum. The pretreatment of platinum electrodes can change the surface properties dramatically, in consequence it can improve the electrocatalytic activity towards the electrooxidation of CO. The existence of surface active sites on the roughened platinum electrodes can be used to explain its high electrocatalysis towards the oxidation of CO.