Electrocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Methanol Oxidation by Cobalt Carbonate

Na3CoIII(CO3)3 was deposited on Pt and Pd electrode surfaces by a chronoamperometric technique. The deposited Na3CoIII(CO3)3 was characterized using various surface characterization techniques. These Na3CoIII(CO3)3 deposited electrodes are subsequently utilized for the electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The MOR reaction is studied using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric measurements in KOH and Na2CO3 electrolytes. The Na3CoIII(CO3)3 deposited on the Pt electrode showed enhanced current density in KOH/Na2CO3 media, which relates to methanol oxidation compared with bare Pt and Na3CoIII(CO3)3 deposited on the Pd electrode. The Na3CoIII(CO3)3 deposited Pt electrode executes high electrocatalytic oxidation and shows an anodic peak current density of 19.7 mA cm–2 at 0.1 V vs NHE. Interestingly, the Na3CoIII(CO3)3 deposited on the Pt electrode shows a good photoelectrocatalytic response under UV–vis light irradiation. An anodic peak current density of 22.9 mA cm–2 is observed for methanol oxidation under light irradiation.