Electro-catalytic Reduction of Ethylene on Gold and other Substrates

Abstract

The kinetics and mechanism of the cathodic reduction of ethylene on gold, tungsten and a number of other materials is reported. Tafel slopes, reaction orders and isotope effects indicate a rate determining step (r.d.s.) between adsorbed ethylene and adsorbed hydrogen. Contrasts between the catalytic behaviour of platinum (reported previously) and gold are discussed and attributed to the different pH dependencies of the potential of zero charge values (p.z.c.) of these metals. Catalytic efficiencies of the several materials are reviewed in the light of theories of catalysis.