US EPA

6122276 

Journal Article 

Methanol Decomposition on Co(0001): Influence of the Cobalt Oxidation State on Reactivity 

Chen, Jun; Guo, Q; Wu, J; Yang, W; Dai, D; Chen, M; Yang, X 

2019 

Yes 

Journal of Physical Chemistry C
ISSN: 1932-7447
EISSN: 1932-7455 

123 

14 

9139-9145 

10.1021/acs.jpcc.9b00727 

WOS:000464768600073 

https://search.proquest.com/docview/2237555180?accountid=171501
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Reaction of methanol (CH₃OH) on metal surfaces has received lots of concerns because of its potential application in hydrogen (H₂) production and fuel cells. In this work, we have studied the decomposition of CH₃OH on Co(0001) and its oxide surfaces using temperature-programmed desorption to understand the effect of surface oxidation on the production of H₂ via CH₃OH decomposition. On a clean Co(0001) surface, CH₃OH molecules decompose into CO and H atoms easily in the temperature range of 280–350 K, resulting in a maximum yield of 0.27 ML for H₂ production. With O atoms on the Co(0001) surface, methoxy groups can be easily formed. As the surface temperature rises to about 370 K, methoxy groups begin to decompose followed by an immediate desorption of H₂ and CO at the same temperature, resulting in a maximum yield of H₂ which increases to 0.42 ML on the ∼0.25 ML O atom-covered Co(0001) surface. However, on the CoO- and Co₃O₄-like surfaces, CH₃OH is selectively decomposed to CH₂O and CO₂, respectively, and the H₂ production is decreased significantly, while the activities of CoO- and Co₃O₄-like surfaces are much lower than that of the O atom-covered Co(0001) surface. Therefore, avoiding the formation of oxide surfaces is helpful for H₂ production from CH₃OH decomposition. 

article; carbon dioxide; carbon monoxide; cobalt oxide; desorption; formaldehyde; fuel cells; hydrogen; hydrogen production; methanol; oxidation; surface temperature