Elucidation of the surface structure–selectivity relationship in ethanol electro-oxidation over platinum by density functional theory

Abstract

We have successfully built a general framework to comprehend the structure–selectivity relationship in ethanol electrooxidation on platinum by density functional theory calculations. Based on the reaction mechanisms on three basal planes and five stepped surfaces, it was found that only (110) and n(111) × (110) sites can enhance CO₂ selectivity but other non-selective step sites are more beneficial to activity.