Copper‐Modified Gold Nanoparticles as Highly Selective Catalysts for Glycerol Electro‐Oxidation in Alkaline Solution

Abstract

Abstract The C 3 selectivity of carbon‐supported Au nanoparticles for glycerol electro‐oxidation was significantly enhanced by the interaction of Au with electro‐deposited Cu species. Notably, the C 3 selectivity of supported Au nanoparticles doubled after 90 min of Cu electro‐deposition at +0.015 V. This result was obtained if glycerol electro‐oxidation was performed at +0.1 V for 2 h. The most selective catalysts contained an Au + species that was generated by an interaction between Au and electro‐deposited Cu 2 O. The presence of Au + increased the selectivity to glycerate and tartronate and suppressed C−C bond cleavage to glycolate and formate simultaneously.