Ethylene oxidation over platinum: In situ electrochemically controlled promotion using Na-β″ alumina and studies with a Pt(111)/Na model catalyst

Electrochemically modified ethylene oxidation over a Pt film supported on the Na⁺ ion conductor β″ alumina has been studied over a range of conditions encompassing both promotion and poisoning. The system exhibits reversible behavior, and the data are interpreted in terms of (i) Na-enhanced oxygen chemisorption and (ii) poisoning of the surface by accumulation of Na compounds. At low Na coverages the first effect results in increased competitive adsorption of oxygen at the expense of ethylene, resulting in an increased rate. At very negative catalyst potentials (high Na coverage) both effects operate to poison the system: the increased strength of the Pt-O bond and coverage of the catalytic surface by compounds of Na strongly suppress the rate. Kinetic and spectroscopic results for ethylene oxidation over a Pt(111)-Na model catalyst shed light on important aspects of the electrochemically controlled system. Low levels of Na promote the reaction and high levels poison it, mirroring the behavior observed under electrochemical control and strongly suggesting that sodium pumped from the solid electrolyte is the key species. XP and Auger spectra show that under reaction conditions, the sodium exists as a surface carbonate. Post-reaction TPD spectra and the use of ¹³CO demonstrate that CO is formed as a stable reaction intermediate. The observed activation energy (56 ± 3 kJ/mol) is similar to that measured for CO oxidation under comparable conditions, suggesting that the rate limiting step is CO oxidation.