The Electrochemical Oxidation of 1,3-butadiene on Pt and Au-I Steady-state Kinetics

Butadiene was electro-oxidised in aqueous solutions on both Pt and Au electrodes using steady-state techniques. Effects of potential, butadiene partial pressure, pH and temperature on the rate were measured. A change in slope of the polarisation curves occurred similar to that reported for the electro-oxidation of acetylene on Au. The resulting mechanism of oxidation on both electrodes incorporates the adsorption of water and butadiene as separate steps in conjunction with potential driving forces based on the potential of zero charge (pzc). It is significant that this mechanism is also applicable to the anodic oxidation of several other unsaturated hydrocarbons, eg, acetylene, ethylene and other alkenes on Pt and Au. © 1974