In this study, we characterize methanol chemisorption
products on the surface of nanoparticle catalysts
(see below), in situ, and under electrode potential control,
by the use of radioactive labeling and electrochemistry
[29–33]. The method offers capabilities for on line,
in situ determinations of the amount of methanolderived
CO adsorbate as a function of the common
variables of electrochemistry such as time, electrode
potential, solution and catalyst composition. The
uniqueness of the radioactive labeling approach is its
complete in situ character: comprehensive coverage and
surface dynamic (adsorption/desorption kinetics) information
is obtained while maintaining the electrochemical
(thermodynamic) integrity of the experiment. In
contrast, application of the most popular technique in
basic fuel cell science, voltammetry, to interrogate the
surface CO system requires removal of dissolved CO or
other surface CO precursor(s) from electrolytic solutions.
It also requires alteration of the electrode potential
as the scan potential upon surface characterization.