Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy during electrochemical promotion of ethylene oxidation over a bimetallic Pt–Ag/YSZ catalyst

The electrochemical promotion of the C2H4 + O2 reaction over a bimetallic Pt/Ag catalyst (Pt:Ag ratio ≈ 1.5) interfaced to yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has been studied at 0.25 mbar and T = 650 K using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as in situ method. Applying a positive potential of 2 V causes a relative rate increase in the CO2 production up to 120%; the electrocatalytic promotion effect is non-Faradaic (Λ ≈ 2). An electrochemical...