Electroreduction of carbon monoxide on palladium electrodeposits in solutions containing copper ions

It is shown that the electroreduction of CO proceeds on electrolytic deposits of palladium (edPd) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + (1–5) mM CuSO₄ + CO(sat) solutions at the potentials more positive than the Cu²⁺/Cu equilibrium potential. Among the CO reduction products, methanol and formaldehyde are identified. The current efficiency with respect to CH₃OH exceeds 75% on edPd formed in 1% PdCl₂+0.5 M H₂SO₄ solutions. In addition, Cu⁺ ions, which probably form complexes with CO, are detected in the solution and are assumed to play the role of intermediate species in the mediator catalysis along with copper adatoms.