Enhancing CO Tolerance of Electrocatalysts: Electro-oxidation of CO on WC and Pt-Modified WC

Abstract

We investigated tungsten monocarbide (WC) and Pt-modified WC as -tolerant electrocatalysts as compared to pure Pt. The binding energy of , estimated using temperature-programmed desorption, is weaker on WC and than on Pt, suggesting that it should be easier to oxidize on WC and . This hypothesis was verified using cyclic voltammetry to compare the electro-oxidation of on WC, , and Pt supported on carbon substrates, which showed a lower voltage for the onset of oxidation of on WC and than on Pt.