Ethanol Conversion in an Aqueous Solution upon Aluminum Valve Anode Microdischarge Treatment

The conversion of 0.1–2.0 M aqueous ethanol solutions in the carbonate electrolyte by treatment with a microdischarge at an anode made of the AMg-6 aluminum–magnesium alloy was studied. It was shown that the microdischarge treatment leads to degradation of ethanol yielding hydrogen, carbon monoxide, ₁–₄ hydrocarbons, methanol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, 1,2-propylene glycol, 2,3-butylene glycol, water, and acetic acid. The mechanism of relevant processes is discussed, which suggests a multiplicity of ethanol degradation pathways in vapor–gas bubbles.